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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- mrssafiagaddaf@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Mrssafiagaddaf@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:31:54 -0800
Subject: Good Bussines Opportunities
Hello,
I am SAFIA FARKASH, wife of former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed by NATO and its allies on his way to Niger Republic while he tried to escape from the bloody crisis. I am desperately looking for a foreign partner whom I can trust to handle some investment of fund.
My Husband deposited the sum of US$65.4m (Sixty five million four hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in my name at a reputable security company in a country I will disclose to you as we proceed. For I have already left Libya to one of one of the African Nations. Your assistance will enable us invest this money in your country or any where it will be safe and productive. But before we continue in this transaction, we would have to sign an AGREEMENT for our protection and rights
I got your contact details from world on line directory via internet. I will direct you to an international business law firm who will help you in getting the documents to your name once I get your positive reply. Please reply through my secure email as stated for further communications. Email: Mrssafiagaddaf@gmail.com
You can as well read more about the crises in my country and about this situation on the following THREE sites:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110404/ap_on_re_us/libya_diplomacy
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/142748/gaddafis-wealth-spread-across-globe.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110404/wl_nm/us_libya
Waiting for your prompt and positive response
Thanks.
Mrs. Safia Farkash Gaddafi
Email: Mrssafiagaddaf@gmail.com
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