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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:
- 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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ibrahim Abdulaziz Sahad" <service@pina.com.tw>
Reply-To: Ibrahmsahad@senoyna.org
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 20:38:33 +0800
Subject: ATTENSION I NEED YOUR HELP FROM LIBYA..
Attention!!
Greetings I hope my message meet you in good faith and understanding.
I want you to know that due to the crisis in my country Libya I and my
family have decided to move our funds to another country where it can be kept
for us till will get our selves out of this country (Libya)
As I speak to you now we have 18.7 million United States Dollars which we
want to move out of this country (Libya) through the means of a diplomat but
who is going to receive the consignment for us is a problem because we
don't need any one who we make away with our hard earn money.
I am, The Secretary General to the National Front for the Salvation of Libya
(NFSL) and I have made all arrangement on how to move these funds to trusted
person I want you to know that if really you think you can assist me I can
deliver this fund to your destination through a diplomatic miss.
All I will need from you is for you to buy a house for my family because as
soon as you receive this funds, you let me know so that I we move my family
immediately to your country but as for me I will not move any where on till I
fight for the peace of my people.
Please kindly forward to me your full contact details to enable us complete
all formality regarding this transaction, direct phone number, passport copy.
Please don't disappoint me with the trust have put on you.
Allah Bless you and your family.
As soon as I receive your details I will forward you more details on the
delivery to your destination.
Note: For your assistance I want you to know that you will be entitle to 25%
of this Total funds (18.7 million United States Dollars)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_Abdulaziz_Sahad
Respectfully,
Ibrahim Abdulaziz Sahad
Email: Ibrahmsahad@senoyna.org
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