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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:
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Fadi Akona <f_bete2@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: f_a_m2011@yahoo.cn
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:03:33 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Hello Dear
Hello Dear
Firstly my name is Ms Fadi Akona Mofibi, the daughter of late Dr. Akona Mofibi .My father was a highly reputable business man who operated internationaly during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in one of his business trips abroad on the November 2nd 2009.
Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of mine who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth My mother died when i was just 6 year old, and since then my father took me so special.
Before the death of my father on November 2nd 2009. he called me and informed me that he has the sum of Five million Nine houndred thousand united states dollars.deposited in a financial firm here in Cote d'Ivoire.He further told me that he deposited the money in my name and also gave me all the necessary information and the legal documents regarding to the deposited fund in the bank
I am just 22 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. now I want a honest God fearing partner who i can transfer this deposit with his assistance and after the transaction I will come and reside permanently in your country till such a time that it will be convenient for me to return back home if i so desire.
This is because i have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Cote d'ivoire.The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I also want to invest the fund under your care because i am ignorant of business world.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestion and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can i completely trust you?
2. What percentage of the total amount will be good for you after the fund is transfer to your care?. Please consider these and get back to me as soon as possible.
Regards
Ms. Fadi Akona Mofibi.
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