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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "you will take 25%" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- babalolaibrahim4g@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. IBRAHIM BABALOLA" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 2 May 2022 10:34:59 +0200
Subject: FOR BUSINESS / INVESTMENT/A4
Dear friend,
My name is Mr. Ibrahim Babalola, and I am the Chairman, Contract Tenders Board of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
I have a sum of $168.9 million (USD) in my custody that I want to move out of my country for safekeeping / Investment in your Country, the Origin of the funds are as a result of deliberate inflation of the value of a contract awarded by our corporation a few years back, (OVER INVOICED AMOUNT).
You will take 25% of the total sum, for your assistance.
I will give you more details about the transaction upon your acceptance.
Be rest assured that everything is legal and risk-free as I have
concluded all the arrangements for the procurement of the legal papers that will back up the transaction.
Kindly indicate your interest if you can assist me so as to enable me to give you the FULL details about the transaction.
I am waiting for your urgent response with your confidential phone number to discuss with you.
Kind regards.
Mr. Ibrahim Babalola
REPLY TO: babalolaibrahim4g@gmail.com
TELEPHONE: +234 80 88871511
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Anti-fraud resources:
