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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: =?gbk?B?YWxpeWFoIA==?=<aliyah@poundswears.com>
Reply-To: aliyah <aliyahs.khalifa641@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2013 22:20:48 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: =?gbk?B?aGVsbG8=?=
Salaam,
My name is Aliyah Khalifa, I am 26 years girl from Libya, Please accept my apology if
my mode of contacting you will in any way offend you.
I am compelled to contact you via this medium for obvious reasons which you
will understand when we discuss details of my proposition.
I am contacting you based on my desire to invest in your country.I am from
Libya in North Africa.
Through this letter I am seeking your urgent co-operation and an opportunity to
invest and do business with you as my partner in in your country.
I have a sizable asset to invest, the total amount is
(Two Million United State Dollars) and I would like to work with you in doing
business as i have just little idea about business.
I have inherited this fund from my late father who was Gold and Diamond dealer
before he died as result of the civil war in my country.
You may discuss it with your family if you wish, as this is a long lasting
business relationship.I am looking forward to your positive confirmation to
enable me discuss details and proceedings.
Yours Sincere
Aliyah Khalifa
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Anti-fraud resources:
