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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "economic and financial crimes commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "farida waziri" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- efrc.desk@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Waziri Farida Mrs" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <efrc.desk@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:59:54 -0400
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL : CONTACT ME ASAP.....
Good day,
My Name is Mrs. Farida Waziri the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chair person in Nigeria.
I understand you are expecting your delayed fund to be transferred to you, but during our investigations we found out that you have been dealing with some people who claimed to be in charge of your fund and documents,and they have been using the name of some top government officials to impersonate and also some top government officials are also and bank partners are also involved in this and will not tell you the truth about the whereabouts of your fund and all they are doing is to tell you to pay outrageous fees which you refused to come up with.
I have to let you know the truth because I know you have gone far in trying to get this fund and must have paid some amounts of monies to persons you are not supposed to give out a dime to. I will be ready to help you get your fund if you abide to my instructions to enable me help in delivering your fund as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission principal officer.
I strongly know that they will never tell you the truth because they are all thieving criminals.
I have decided with my veto power that you must receive one third of your principle fund which is the sum of $11m (Eleven million united states Dollars) to ascertain really whom I am.
You are advised to email me back via my private mailbox at efrc.desk@gmail.com
And also re-confirm your full details and your active cell phone number and your full house address.
I expect your prompt response through my private mail.
Regards,
Mrs Farida Waziri
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