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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Aisha Gaddafi <aishagddafi40@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:55:45 +0100
Subject: Assalamalakium
Dear Friend (Assalamu Alaikum)
I send my greeting to you from the city of Muscat Oman.
I am pleased to use this medium to open a mutual communication with
you and to ask for your permission and acceptance to partner with you
to invest in your country.
My name is Aisha Gaddafi and presently living in Oman. I am a Widow
and single Mother with three Children, the only biological Daughter of
late Libyan President (Late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi) and presently i
am under political asylum protection by the Omani Government.
I have funds worth $22.500.000.00 US Dollars "Twenty TWO Million
Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars" which I want to entrust on
you for investment project assistance in your country. If you are
willing to handle this project on my behalf I shall appreciate your
urgent response to provide you more details to proceed further. Kindly
get back to me for further discussion.
Best Regards
Mrs. Aisha Gaddafi
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Anti-fraud resources:
