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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- mrisaaczongo@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Isaac Zongo <edithi3@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2016 09:33:44 -0400
Subject: THIS IS RESPECTFULLY YOURS
Attention Dear,
I am Banker Mr Isaac Zongo. I am contacting you for maximum assistant to stand as the next of Kin to this unclaimed/abandoned fund sum of (US$10.5 Million United State Dollars) which i discovered in the bank account that belongs to the LATE embattled president of Libya late Muammar Ghaddafi.
Now our bank has been waiting for any of the relatives to come-up for the claim but nobody has done that i personally has been unsuccessful in locating any of the relatives.
I sincerely seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the bank can proceed to release this fund for you without any hindrances note i am working with the bank i am here to direct you on how we will follow the bank to enable us receive this very fund, is risky free because i have monitored the account for more than three years now so i have secured the file of the Late deceased for our safety and Legal during this fund transfer.
We will have to provide all the relevant document that will be requested to indicate that you are the rightful beneficiary of this legacy and our bank will release the fund to you without any further delay, upon your consideration and acceptance of this offer, please send me the following information as stated below so we can proceed and get this fund transferred to your designated bank account immediately.
Your full name:
Your contact address:
Your direct mobile telephone number:
Your occupation:
Your country:
I await your swift response through my private email: mrisaaczongo@gmail.com
Best regards
Mr Isaac Zongo
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Anti-fraud resources:
