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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- sam55sammm@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Abu Musa <abumasa24@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2018 04:06:06 +0100
Subject: the presidential waiver Certificate
Attention ;Sir
Following the decision reached at the last Federal Executive council
meeting and as approved by President, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), to grant a
presidential waiver to all our outstanding foreign contractors and
Inheritance payment who were unable to meet up with their financial
obligations to receive their contracts & inheritance payments in Nigeria,
you are among those listed to benefit from this presidential waiver
Certificate. You are therefore requested to contact the coordinator
presidential waiver Certificate committee who will issue you with the
waiver Certificate.
This waiver Certificate will cover you from every financial obligatory
expenses attach to your payment in Nigeria for you to receive your payment
and every other approved Local Banks and authorize the immediate release
of your funds without making any UPFRONT PAYMENT to any Nigerian BANKS
again. You are currently dealing with parties that keep asking you for
upfront fees and each time you pay the story or goal post changes are you
not tired of this situation? It’s about time you take the current
opportunity to get paid once and for all. Please be wise Kindly call and
contact to issue you the presidential waiver Certificate. Once you receive
the certificate reverts back to us and %50 of your entire contract
sum/beneficiary payment would be released to your bank account. Please act
upon this message immediately.
Contact Person:
Justice Mr Sam
Federal High Court Lagos Judicial Division
Official, email: sam55sammm@gmail.com
Your payment or package and consignment or Atm Card will be released to you
immediately as soon as you have the presidential waiver Certificate in your
hand.
I await your urgent response.
Regards
Mr ABU MUSA
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