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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Liya Ghanem" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <liyaghanem0195@yahoo.co.th>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 10:15:08 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend,
Dear Friend,
I am writing this mail to you with tears and sorrow from my heart. My name is Miss. Liya Nasr Ghanem, 16yrs old female and I held from Libya.
My father (Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem) was one of the special assistant to the Former Libyan Leader Muammer Gaddafi.He served as his personal envoy for his business relations in West Africa.His operation's with the Gaddafi family was more else confidential. My father help Gaddafi to buy over all total oil stations in Cote d'ivoire which is now oil Libya and he also help the gaddafi's family to open a bank here in Cote d'Ivoire name BSIC Bank. Although this investments has been taken over by the new government but this are just part of the investment that my late father assisted the gaddfi family acquire in west Africa.
Just immediately after the commencement of the revolution my father left for Libya to meet with his boss which is now Gaddafi's son (Salif Al Islam)who super heads all their external investments. That was the last time i saw and heard from him and later i heard he was kill in one of the Nato's air strike in Tripoli.This was a disaster for me because i only know my father as the only source of my lively hood. My mother died of poison when i was 1yrs old during our first and last Visit to Libya. My late mother is from Togo (West Africa) and my father who had already 2 wives before her was almost rejected because of his marriage to my mother. They considered it taboo because she's not from Libya and this could have contributed to her death.
My late father had deposited in a suspense account with a bank the sum of Eight Million United States Dollars and i wish to seek your assistance to help me move the money to any country safe and you will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country. However. You will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies.
It is my intention to compensate you with 20% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Awaiting your urgent and positive response. Please do keep this only to your self. I beg you not to disclose it till i come over because I am afraid.
Sincerely yours
Liya Nasr Ghanem
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