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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:
- 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.
- 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.
- koffi.mensah1@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Koffi Mensah" <info@bbank-ru.com>
Reply-To: koffi.mensah1@aol.com
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2014 19:34:53 -0700
Subject: RE: Strictly Confidential
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RE: Strictly Confidential
Good Day!!
I am one of the Director of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. I have
used my Good Office to acquire the sum of US$25 million during my tenure as
stated herein. The aforementioned Funds was concealed in Four Diplomatic
Treasure Boxes and deposited with an Independent Security and Finance
Company here in the Republic of Ghana. Nevertheless, I would like you to
stand as the Beneficiary of these Funds so as to have the funds claimed and
wire transfer out of my Country without delay.
This is because of my Country's Financial Control on every Serving and
Ex-Government Officials. Our sharing ratio should you wish to Partner with
me is 40:60%.I will appreciate if you can send me your Private Telephone
Numbers for discussion of this offer in more details.
Thank you and looking forward to a prosperous business relationship between
us.Please if you are not capable of handling this US$25 million do not
reply me.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Koffi Mensah
NB: Please reply with my Private Email: koffi.mensah1@aol.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
