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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- roland22111@inmail24.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ibori" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <roland22111@inmail24.com>
Date: Wed, 16 May 2012 23:30:57 +0200
Subject: I need a foreign partner
Dear friend,
I am Roland Ibori the younger brother of James Ibori who is currentlly in Jail in London,Before my elder brother was arrested he kept in my possession the sum of $5 million dollars which is currenttly in a Finance House here in London.
I am currentlly under pressure by the Finance House official here ,I need to have someone realiable to help me received my funds,as my elder brother account is currentlly in check by the British Government,I shall send you more details if you agree to help me receive this funds.
You can see more details about my brother case in this site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11986056
I am willing to compensate you 30% of the total sum if you agree to receive this funds on my behalf. I have to move the $5 Million Dollars out of London within 14 days as stated by my Finance House.Please if is ok by you send me the following informations,your full names and your cell number.
Await your mail.
Roland Ibori
Email: :roland22111@inmail24.com
phone number: +447924428381
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