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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "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)
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Joe Gadisu" <mrjoegadisu@barid.com>
Reply-To: mrjoegadisu1@barid.com
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 14:38:52 +0100
Subject: Re: From Mr. Joe Gadisu.
I anticipate that you read this mail quickly and let me know your opinion
or willingness on this classified information that I will release to you.
I am Mr. Joe Gadisu a citizen of Ghana working for the Standard Chartered
Bank Accra-Ghana Branch. This is a business proposal for your involving a
huge sum of money 7.5 million Dollars, (Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand
Us Dollars). I want to move the funds out of my Bank but am seeking for
your help and cooperation,Please reply me back. Please keep this very
confidential and forward to me in your response the following.contact me
with My Private email address is [mrjoegadisu1@barid.com] Am awaiting to
hear from you.
1. Full Name
2. Your Telephone Number and Fax Number
3. Your Contact Address.
4. Occupation:
5. Sex/ Marital Status:
Please note that all necessary arrangement for the smooth release of these
funds to you has been finalized.I will discuss more in details when I do
receive your response.
Thank you in advance and may God bless you and your family.
Best regards
Mr. Joe Gadisu
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