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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:
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- you.sheik.zada@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Zada Sheik <zadasheik@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 10:16:45 +0000
Subject: Thanks Zada Sheik
How are you my good friend,i hope all is well?
I am a citizen of Libya, daughter to the one of the chief in Miá¹£rÄtah city
in Libya who was killed during the recent crisis in Libya by the rebels. My
Name is Zada Sheik .My Late Father died and left Twelve Million one hundred
and fifty thousand USD in cash, which he safely kept in a Security and
Finance department bank in Ghana for safe keeping during his regime in the
office. I want you to help me to claim this consignment fund out from the
Bank here in Ghana.so that you can help me to invest this fund in any
profitable business of your choice in your country.All the necessary
Documents covering this consignment fund is with me here in the refugee
camp here in Ghana where i am living due to the war in my country
Libya.Your urgent reply will enable me to discuss with the Director of the
Security Finance department to move this consignment fund through their
special Diplomatic Courier to your country .i want you to stand as my late
father partner to claim this fund out from the Bank.please do not be
offended for my proposal.i need your private contact number with your home
address .Allah will bless you as soon as you assisted me to claim out this
money and also invest it your country .i hope to hear from you .i lost
everything in Libya my country the only hope i have now is Allah almighty
and you.sheik.zada@yahoo.com
Thanks Zada Sheik
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