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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.
- 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- 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.
- salahmustafa571@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MUSTAFA SALAH <christ.verdier2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: salahmustafa571@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 29 May 2014 23:22:46 +0000
Subject: Reply as soon as possible
Dear Friend,
My name is Mr. Mustafa Salah of Libya. I am a Personal Aide to the Late
President of Libya, Col Muammar Gadhafi. Until his death I was directly
responsible to the late President in charge special duties.
I handled several funds deposits to banks and Security Companies for the
Late President in Europe, Africa and many other countries for his private
use. Presently the government of Libya has started discovering some of the
Fund the Former Leader stashed out of the country. Read the news on the
link below for more details:
http://www.citypress.co.za/politics/war-for-gaddafi-billions-2/
In the course of my duty I personally diverted (US$82 Million Dollars) for
my personal use. The money is presently deposited with Security Company in
Ivory Cost,West Africa as classified document and family jewelries for safe
keeping. I am presently living in Yamoussokro on political asylum.
This money is my only means of livelihood and since due to my refugee
status here in Ivory Cost I am not permitted by law to handle such
financial investment. I therefore solicit your understanding, operation and
assistance for the release of the (US$82 Million Dollars) into your
nominated account for a partnership investment with you in your country.
The fund would remain in your full custody but not without written
agreement until my asylum papers and necessary permit is secured.
Tell me more about yourself
(1) Can you handle this project?
(2) Can I give you this trust?
(3) What will be your commission?
(4) Can you make it confidential?
I expect your urgent response if you can handle this project.
Regards,
Mr. Mustafa Salah
Alternate email: salahmustafa571@gmail.com
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