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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:
- "million united states 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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (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.
- 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.
- adamnigel056@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ADAM NIGEL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <adamnigel056@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:31:14 -0700
Subject: Confidential Business Proposal
My Name is Adam Nigel, Chief Financial Officer of Manulife Asset Management Limited here in Hong Kong. I have asked a friend coming to the UK to post this letter on my behalf. I have URGENT and discreet business proposal for you that shall benefit us immensely should you choose to participate.
Before I reveal any sensitive information, it is important I state categorically that all privilege information concerning my proposal and this business is transaction is treated with utmost confidentiality due to source of funds.
These funds which sums up to USD$7.85 Million United States Dollars are currently in our client segregated account in relation to one of our late private client (Deceased) who passed away 5 years ago. Hence, the reason why I have contacted you is because you share the same name with the deceased and is very important in securing the mentioned funds.
These funds are held with our prime brokers which is an offshore bank here in Hong Kong. With your permission, I shall give step by step explanation on why I need your assistance and also the source of funds. Further information on how we shall proceed legally to obtain these funds will be provided in due course once I ascertain your genuine intentions and willingness to assist.
Should you be interested, then I will like to hear from you the soonest time possible via my contact details below to enable me provide you with more details on how we are to proceed. I anticipate and look forward to a successful business relationship with you.
Yours sincerely,
Adam Nigel.
adamnigel056@gmail.com
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