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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:
- 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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: JUDE DIKE <baristerjudedike@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2013 16:14:35 +0100
Subject: CALL ME NOW.
Good Day.
My name is attorney Jude Dike senior advocate of Nigeria.You have no good
reasons to abandon this deal. Nigeria government does not owe you one cent.
This is a deal between you and me now. We need money to correct all the
documents before the money will be in your account. You take 60% while i
take 40% that is the truth and the only way out. You have to call me stop
chasing shadows The year is about to end we need the money to take care of
our life. As soon as all the documents are in your name the fund will be
release to you to any bank you wish. Bear in mind that the total amount for
transfer is $35,5million united state dollars only.My wife will be with you
to receive my own share of the money. You have to help her invest my on in
your country.
Going through back door cannot help you rather it will cost you more pains
and more money. A word is enough for the wise. Wake up before it will be
too late.
Please I will advice you to call me on my direct telephone number so that I
will be sure of the person that I am dealing with very important direct
phone:+234 808 055 8378.
Thanks.
Barrister Jude Dike.
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