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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Aisha Gaddafi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aishatuoman@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2017 06:54:14 -0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR RESPONSE FAST
Dear Friend,
It is nice to communicate with you.I am Dr. aisha Gaddafi. As you should be aware I am currently residing in Oman, unfortunately as a fugitive
because the Oman government brought me and my family in under strict conditions that undermine my freedom .
At the mean time, my family wealth is the target of Western nations led by America who wants to seize all that my late father has acquired at all
costs. Most of our investments and bank accounts in several countries are their targets to freeze .
As you may know since after the death of my father, the governments of the west and united states have seized our monies and assets that are
traceable .you can see for yourself below :
http://www.businessinsider.com/qaddafi-libya-30-billion-2011-3
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/28/gaddafi-assets-seized-italy
However We still have secret deposits of private safe boxes of cash deposited in security companies abroad and some open beneficiary bank accounts that
are not traceable to my family name. I intend to appoint you as my trustee to receive some funds and invest them on my behalf while we make
arrangement for my arrival to join you.
Please indicate your interest by replying with your data and direct telephone number so that I can connect you with the attorney that will arrange the
process of the funds transfer to you.
Truly Yours
Aisha Gaddafi
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Anti-fraud resources:
