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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:
- "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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: Sam Egonwafor <egonwaforsam@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 10:05:19 -0700
Subject: BUSINESS FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PARTNERSHIP REQUEST"
Dear Sir/Ma,
Glad to write you this letter my name is Dr Sam Egonwafor member contract award committee Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.
I will be glad to know you better and to have you as a my business financial transaction partner for the execution of claims for our benefit and lasting relationship. Please I will so glad to know you better.
Thanks.
Best Regard.
Sam Egonwafor.
Tel:234-80-77883636.
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Anti-fraud resources:
