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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)
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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: "Miss. Aisha Gaddafi. " <gaddafiaisha550@gmail.com>
Reply-To: missaishagaddafi1990@mail.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:13:42 -0700
Subject: Can I invest in your country from Mrs. Aisha El Gaddafi?
Can I invest in your country from Mrs. Aisha El Gaddafi?
Dear Friend,
Please I want you to exercise some patience going through this mail so
that it will enable
you have good understanding. Meanwhile I will appreciate you to ignore
and delete this
mail from your mail box if you are not interested been my partner for
the investment
project in your country.
I came across your e-mail contact prior a private search while in need
of your assistance.
My name is Mrs Aisha El Gaddafi a single Mother and a Widow with three
Children. I am the
only biological Daughter of late Libyan President (Late Colonel
Muammar Gaddafi).
I have investment funds worth Fifteen Million United State Dollar
($15 Million Dollars)
and i need a trusted investment Manager/Partner because of my current
refugee status,
however, I am interested in you for investment project assistance in
your country, may be
from there, we can build business relationship in the nearest future.
About me and the reason why I am now in Burkina Faso as you can read
more in the linked
below Please inter the link to read and know more about me and the
reason why I contacted
you.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/9967203/Gaddafis-
daughter-thrown-out-of-Algeria-after-she-set-fire-to-presidential-residence.html
I am willing to negotiate investment/business profit sharing ratio
with you base on the
future investment earning profits. If you are willing to handle this
project on my behalf
kindly reply urgent to enable me provide you more information about
the investment funds.
Your Urgent Reply Will Be Appreciated.
Best Regards
Mrs Aisha El Gaddafi
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Anti-fraud resources:
