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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "% will be for you" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sambo Dasuki." <messengerofstuffs@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dasukigate@latinmail.com
Date: Thu, 5 May 2016 18:55:22 +0300
Subject: Dear Sir.
Dear Sir.
With due respect, my name is Sambo Dasuki a former security adviser to the
ex-president in west Africa and I write to seek your collaboration to
secure my funds deposited with a security company in Europe as a personal
effects.
I am presently under house arrest after released from detention by the
government of my country for disturbing over US$155Million Dollars to
government officials on the instruction of Mr President, whom then denies
this and claim that funds were meant for weapon purchase to destroy my
political ambition.
I want you to secure my US$10.5Million deposited as family valuables with
a high level security firm in Europe and 30% will be for you while 5% for
any expense that might be incurred and the balance 65% for me, which you
might need to invest into a profitable venture you deem fit and once I am
finish with my case, I will travel to your country to discuss on how to
get my share back.
Please note, that this transaction is strictly confidential and I assure
you of 100% risk free and all relevant information will be given to you
upon your response and please keep this transaction secret until you have
taken possession of the funds.
More details will be given to you upon receipt of your reply and you can
google my name and see my situation online
(https://www.naij.com/683303-dasukigate-efcc-makes-new-arrest.html)
Sambo Dasuki.
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