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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Felix william <felix005012@att.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:37:34 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Congratulations Your contract found.
Dear, Sir
Did you want your contract found to be paid to you by cash/bank wire transfer or ATM…? If any one is chosen, please kindly fill up the spaces bellow:
Your first name:--------------------------------------
Your last name:---------------------------------------
Your Country:---------------------------------------
The year of your contract:----------------------------
The Official you know:--------------------------------
His phone/fax or email:-------------------------------------
Your contract number:------------------------------------
Your contract amount:--------------------------------------
Have any money been paid to you before that you receive Yes-------No------
Your Address:-----------------------------------------------
Your Phone/Fax Number:----------------------------------
Your Remark:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking forward to hearing from you from the office of (Contract award committee) for old unpaid foreign contractors for the renewal of our contract agreement with you…
Thanks
Barrister Felix Ngige
Attorney to the contract award committee Nigeria
+2347084639645
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Anti-fraud resources:
