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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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Aiash Yakoub <telex01@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: mrsaishayakoub01@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:11:07 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: URGENT Sir/Madam
>From Mrs. Aisha Yakoub
Abdul Razzaq Yakoub & family U.A.E
I am Mrs. Aisha Yakoub, the ex-wife of Abdul Razzaq Yakoub from U.A.E. My
ex-husband Mr Yakoub is a prominent Pakistani expatriate businessman based
in Dubai. Read about my ex husband on no. 7 of the link:
(http://teeth.com.pk/blog/2007/12/08/pakistans-rich-list-of-2008)
Since the beginning of this year, I have been in the hospital in London
for eight months suffering from cancer and recently my Doctor told me that
I may die any time any day because of my cancer sickness.
Having known my condition I decided to donate the $27 Million (Twenty
seven Million U.S Dollars, which I got from My ex husband after our
separation to help in the Pakistani flood relief.
I have decided to do this as to alleviate the suffering of many families .
I have sent over 5 million dollars to various charity organizations but
they used the funds wrongly.
Now I need a faithful person who will help utilize the money very well. I
know you are a good person and you can do this purpose for me and for God.
As you do this work, God Shall definitely reward you. Also, it is my
desire to map out part of the more as a reward to you for you
faithfulness.
It will be my pleasure to receive your good response and I will direct you
to my Lawyer who will help you to legally secure this $27 Million (Twenty
Seven Million U.S Dollars).
I want you to always pray for me as I have no much life again says my
doctor. I am waiting for your respond.
God bless you and your good family
Aisha Sulak Yakoub
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Anti-fraud resources:
