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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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- 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.
- samuelonaja@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Onaja" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <samuelonaja@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 12:04:03 +0100
Subject: Offer of opportunity.
My friend,
I am Samuel Oonaja, director Contract Administration, i oversee contract matters at the Nigerian Ministry of works & Housing .I am asking for your help to claim a huge sum of money.
The money is deposited in an affiliate bank in Europe as an unclaimed fund belonging to a foreign government Contractor who died with his entire Family in a crisis in the south south part of my country years ago.
They were amongst those that were Killed in the WARRI CRISIS as you can confirm through this website ; www.worldpress.org/Africa/1083.cfm
This was before his contract funds could be processed for payment. Although his dealth did not stop his payment processing hence now the fund is ready for payment.
Having done a methodical search these past few years and been unsuccessful in locating the relatives I now seek your consent to present you as the kin to the deceased contractor so that the proceeds of this account can be processed and paid to you and thereafter you and I will share it according to a stated ratio of 40% for you and 60% for me. I hope that you will find this proposal worthwhile and on your confirmation of this message and Indicating your interest, I will furnish you with more information.
At the conclusion of the deal I will come over to your country as soon as the transfer is concluded to receive my own share of the fund,and then decide on what investment to make which will be based on your advice.
If you agree to Participate in this business deal Then send a confirmation response directly to this Email: samuelonaja@yahoo.com
or call me on my telephone Nr. +234 805 2920 799 for more information.
Yours truly,
Samuel Oonaja
+234 805 2920 799
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