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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- chukuekwueme@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Chuku Alex Ekwueme" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chukuekwueme@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2018 17:27:06 +0100
Subject: VERY URGENT...
Good Day Sir/Ma
I know this message will come to you as a surprise but permit me of my desire to go into a business relationship with you.
I am Mr. Chuku Alex Ekwueme am the son of the first elected Vice President of Nigeria from 1970 to 1983 We lost my dad on 19th of November 2017 in a brief illness at London Hospital May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace Amen, before his death he was a great elder statesman in my country.
Meanwhile as i and my senior brother where doing some cleaning in his bedroom we found a vital document stated that he deposited a sum of Twenty Eight million dollars ($28,000,000.00) in Security Vault here in Nigeria for safe keeping. As a matter of fact we are seeking for reliable person that will come with us to the security company to stand as our late father friend to claim the money on our behalf because after the death my father all our movement are being restricted. We are willing to offer you 35% of the total funds while the remaining 65% transfer to your country for investment in housing Estate. This transaction is 100% risk free. Please do not heisted to contact for any further questions.
Looking forward to hear from you soon on my private email chukuekwueme@yahoo.com or my phone +234 803 911 3265.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Chuku Ekweme.
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