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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Adelina Collins <aishetosani02@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: adelinecollins@ymail.com
Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2012 08:41:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hello dear.
Hello dear.
I know this may come to you as a surprise because we have not meet before but this is the only way we can get intouch with you.
I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr. and Mrs. Collins. My father was a highly reputable business magnet who operated in the capital of Benin Rep. during his days. I am in Benin for presently now due to the urgent transfer .I'm daef a single girl of 19 years old.
It is sad to say that my father passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad year 12th.april 2009.Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6 years old, and since then my father took me so special. Before his death on April 12 2009 he called the secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of fifteen million, seven hundred thousand United State Dollar(USD$15.700,000) left in fixed account in one of the bank here in Benin Republic.
He further told him that he deposited the money with my name, and finally issued a written instruction to his lawyer who he said is in possession of all the necessary but legal documents to this fund in the bank. I am just a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do now. I need an account over sea were I can transfer this funds and after the transfer i will come and stay in your country for investing the fund and to continue my studies. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Benin Republic.
The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life and i wished to invest under your care please while i continue my education.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistant in this Regards.
Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask this few questions:-
{1} Can you honestly help me?
{2} Can I completely trust You?
{3}What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the the is transfer to your account?
Please, Consider this and get back to me as soon as
possible.
Yours Sincerely
Miss Adeline Collins
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