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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- fied_okwualo5@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "fied_okwualo2@o2.pl" <fied_okwualo2@o2.pl>
Reply-To: fied_okwualo5@o2.pl
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 21:37:23 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL DEAL
Greetings From Mr.Fied okwualo,
Dear Sir/Madam
I understand that through Internet is not the best way to link up with you because of the confidentiality which my proposal demands.
However, I have already sent you this same letter one month ago,but I am not sure if it did get to you since I have not heard from you, hence i am constrain to reach you through the Internet which has been abused over the years.
I wish to notify you again that You were listed as a Heir to the total sum of ($13.5000.000) in the codicil and last testament of the deceased.(This is my second letter to you). We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as the Heir to the inheritance funds in our Bank (AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK BURKINA FASO).
Please indicate your interest immediately for us to proceed. I shall feed you with full details of this transaction upon receipt of your reply towards this proposal.
All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance;
1. Full name
2: Your private telephone and Fax numbers.
3. Occupations and Nationality.
4. Date Of Birth
5. Present Location
6. E-mail Address
To enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards.
Mr.Fied okwualo
fied_okwualo5@o2.pl
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