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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
- 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.
- grmb098@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: <grmb0@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <grmb098@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:04:52 -0000
Subject: By the Grace i have found you
Good day, though this letter may come to you as surprise, since you don't know me personally before but please kindly open your mind for considerations to help me and treat me like your own daughter.
It is by divine Grace of our Good Lord that I found your contact recently to help me out of my affliction today. I am Miss. GRACE MGBOLI, and am 20 years old. I am the only daughter of late Mr.& Mrs.Francis / Teresa Mgboli. My father was a Diamond merchant in most countries of Southern Africa and also at my home country in Serria Leone where he was also involved in sales of blood diamonds for rebel soldiers who used the money for the purchasing of ammunition's during the war crisis in my country that lasted for almost all my years in this life.
Before the death of my late father, he disclosed to me an existing consignment which he deposited with a private security company, and has handed over to me certain documents of proof covering this consignment existence which he secretly told me contains cash sales from Diamond trades amounting $15.8 Million in United States of America Dollars. However I am seeking for assistance in overseas foreign country where I can transfer this money with your acceptance.
Now permit me to ask these few questions:-(1)Can you help me for the retrieval of this fund on my behalf from the security custody and to help me provide a bank account in which the money would be transferred into there in your country? (2)Can you stand as my guardian ? (3)Can you make an arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and to secure a very good future while residing permanently there with you in your country? (4) Can you honestly take me as your own and help me? (5) What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account? (6) Please consider and reply me: grmb098@gmail.com
I am hoping to hear from you, best regards as I remain yours respectful one always.
Grace Mgboli.
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