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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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- barr.beniloba@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: DR CHIBUZOR UGWUOHA <tommy@schwerte.de>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:32:37 +0200
Subject: CONTACT MY LAWYER FOR YOUR BANK DRAFT!!!!!
Dear friend,
I am happy to inform you about my success in getting the fund
transferred under
the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay.Presently I am in Paraguay for
investment projects with my new partner with the total
money.Meanwhile, I didn't
forget all your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those
funds though unsuccessful.
In recognition of your earlier assistance and efforts I have left the sum of
$1.8M (One Million Eight Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) only in a
certified bank draft with my lawyer.
All you need to do is contact him with the direction of where and how
to send /
post the the bank draft to you.Please do let me know immediately you
receive it
so that we can share our joy after all the sufferings at that time. In the
moment, i am very busy here because of the investment projects which
myself and
my new partner are having at hand. Remember that I had forwarded this
instruction to him on your behalf, therefore establish contacts with
him for the
delivery of the bank draft to you without delay. Take care and remain Blessed.
Here is his name and email address:
Barrister Ben Iloba
barr.beniloba@hotmail.com
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Chobuzor Ugwuoha.
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