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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- 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.
- safia_gaddafi@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "safia gaddafi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <safia_gaddafi@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:35:28 -0700
Subject: PRIVATE AND HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL!!!
From:
"Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi" <safia_gaddafi@hotmail.co.uk>
Greetings,
I am Safia Farkash Gaddafi, wife of the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi who was recently Killed by NATO Forces and the Libyan Rebels.
Following the crisis in Libya against my husband for a Change of Government , I was able to escape to Algeria with my daughter who recently gave birth to save our lives. I am desperately looking for a foreign reliable partner whom I can trust to handle part of the funds placed in a Depositary Company in my Name.
The United Nations , The European Union and the America Governments have frozen most of our assets and funds bearing Gaddafi's name in the World .Consequently, our status/position of the present state does not permit us to open an account or run any financial business at the moment,Hence I contacted you to claim the funds.
The necessary Legal documents will be changed to your name to enable the release of the funds to you by the financial Company. Your assistance will enable us invest the funds in your country. The British Government moved to officially freeze the assets held by the Libyan regime in the United Kingdom following sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council
Find below links for your information.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/144251/libyas-first-lady-owns-airline.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15284056
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15389550
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12480844
I will furnish you with more information as soon as I hear your response indicating your interest to partner with me.
Waiting for your prompt and positive response.
Thanks.
Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi
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