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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Abdul Qadeer Fitrat <admin@encantado-rs.com.br>
Reply-To: <abdul.fitrat101@muslim.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:23:09 +0100
Subject: Investment Assistance Needed Urgently.......
--
Attention,
My names are Abdul Qadeer Fitrat former Afghan central bank governor; I
am
in search of a reputable company or honest individual that can assist
me
this deal without exposing me or runaway with the money upon receipt of
the
money in his custody. I believe this world is a free place to do
business
with anyone with my experience.
I got your email address from a business guest book and I have asked my
personal assistance to contact you since two weeks now, I therefore
decided
to write you myself to confirm if actually your received the email and
for
you are willing to handle this transaction.
Please consider this and read about me online news as I am in a secret
place. I was Afghan central bank governor and name is Abdul Qadeer
Fitrat.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13935876 I have refunded
back
part of the funds but I need to secure my future by keeping
$750,000,000.00
Million in a safe secured Bank account in U.A.E. I can't travel or do
open
business with people because the present scandal after my retirement
but I
need a secret partner to help and receive this funds for investment.
I will give you the name of the bank to enable you to confirm this
report.
You will receive these funds and use it for investment purpose. I hope
I
can
trust you.
God bless.
Yours faithfully,
Abdul Qadeer Fitrat,
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