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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- celine_farouq_kamil@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: james akpa <jamesakpa11@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2012 04:50:34 +0100
Subject: GREETINGS AND GOD BLESS YOU
Greetings*
I am Mrs Kamil Celine,a citizen of Yemen. I am married to Late Farooq Kamil
of blessed memory.Since his death,I have been battling with both Cancer of
the lungs and fibroid problems. While he was alive, he deposited a
substantial amount of money worth Four Million Great Britain Pounds with a
Financial Institution here in the United Kingdom which I inherited after
his death.I have only 2 month to live due to my unfortunate ailment.I
decided to hand over this funds to a devoted (God) fearing individual that
will utilize this money for charity purpose and to help the needy the way i
am going to instruct therein.
Kindly quote the account Reference number (natw/NRI-ACCT/7878256589/90-80).
As soon as I receive your reply on My Private Email:
celine_farouq_kamil@yahoo.com
Then my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.I am sending this from
the Hospital Website and they are not aware of the content so you should
reply me on my Private Email.
Remain blessed.
Mrs.Kamil Celine
Private Email: celine_farouq_kamil@yahoo.com*
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Anti-fraud resources:
