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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "consignment " (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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "abidjan" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "SOLOMON CLAUDIA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <solomonclaudia770@yahoo.in>
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012 19:13:03 -0500
Subject: MAY GOD BLESS YOU
Dear Sir/Madam,
First I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction and I pray that my decision to contact you will
be given genuine approval. I wish to use this opportunity to introduce myself to you. I am Solomon Claudia
from Cote d' Ivoire.
I write you to know my desires to invest in your country; I am the son of Claudia K. Momoh who was the former
Minister of Mines and Industry. My father had a bullet wounds by the President Laurent Gbabgo army on his
way traveling to the Capital city Abidjan along with my sister who have currently arrested by Mr. Alatan Quatara
rebel in his House. My sister died on the spot while U.N Peace keeping force rescued my father, he later died
after 3 weeks. This are some of the reality prove taking place in my country Cote d' Ivoire please open the
web bellow for your clear understanding.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/31/rebels-besiege-ivory-coasts-main-city-abidjan/
Before his death he told to me about the box containing $25.Million U.S Dollars to look after myself and my
Mother and shouldn't go to Cote d' Ivoire for my safety. The reason Why my father deposit the fund in the
Security company in Ghana is for safety of the fund Presently, I am in Ghana now here in West Africa Accra
Ghana to notify the security company for the claims of the FUND, and I am staying in refugee camp in Ghana,
My mother is suffering of high blood pressure; she was admitted in the Hospital also in Ghana refugee camp
where she finally give up the goal she die of High blood pressure. I am the only survival person remain in my
family.
Earlier before I and my mother have agreed to compensate whosoever will be kind and trustworthy enough
to help us claim and receive the treasury box of consignment bountifully from the total sum before I lost my
mother but nevertheless I still keep to the promise so that my mother soul and spirit can happy with me here
on health. I have all the documents with me I will send them to you in my next mail. I will be 20 years old on
July 19 2012. and if you can adopt me as your son and promise me to take-care of me as a mother or father
I will be glad to also have you as my father or mother so that together we can create a new family and help
me to utilize the fund in an everlasting investment also enroll to continue my education over there with you.
NOTE: I have never disclosed this to any person apart from you, so you have to keep this matter very confidential
for my safety. Please with humility kindly send me your Private phone numbers for easy communication.
Thank you for taking time to read my sad story and may the good lord guild you and your entire family from
passinthrough the same pain and suffering I and my family are today In Jesus name.
I wait to hear from you.
God Bless
Solomon Claudia.
+233 2756 53071
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