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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.
- 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)
- ",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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- donaldjoneschambers@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Donald Jones <donaldjoneschambers@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 05:51:06 -0700
Subject: FROM EVANS(INVESTMENT PROPOSAL)
Dear Friend
I am Barr Donald Jones,a Lagos based business consultant for a top
politician in oil rich Nigeria. This personnel asked me to source for
a credible foreigner with whom he can jointly invest with in business.
He has US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty five Million United States Dollars),
with a reliable Finance House in Cananda to be precise were the funds
will be recieved.
Due to his public nature, he prefers to be anonymous at the moment
hence I have been given the mandate to source for someone like you.
This is the proposal in summary:
[1] My client who is a top politician in Nigeria wants these funds to
be invested through a well established businessman abroad who can
front for him without disclosing his identity.
[2] All that is required is your ability to handle the funds and
willingness to invest and manage this funds for him under profitable
business.
[3] You may be required to be available at the Finance House or any of
their branch offices for you to receive these funds for the investment.
All claim and deposit documents shall be made avaliable to you.
Thank you so much for your kind understanding while I wait for your
response urgently.
please send your reply to the below email address.
Best regard,
Barr Donald Jones
donaldjoneschambers@gmail.com
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