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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:
- "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Grace Emmanuella <grace_emmanuella1@kimo.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:39:15 +0000
Subject: My Compliments / Your Help !!!!
*My Compliments / Your Help !!!!
My name is Miss Grace Emmanuella, I am 19 Years old of age. Based on your
profile as a religious person I belief I can entrust and confide on you for
the brighter future of my life knowing that I am in a safe hand.
My beloved parents Mr and Mrs Benjamin M. Emmanuella were assassinated here
in IVORY COAST. But Before my father's death he had, (US$7.800.000.00)
(SEVEN MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) deposited in a
bank here in Abidjan the capital of Cote d'Ivoire with my name as the next
of kin since I am the only child of my late parents.
Meanwhile, I inherited the above mentioned sum of money from my late parent
which I wish to invest in your country. I want you to guide me to invest
this money in your country hence I will also come over after you must have
received the money in your account to continue my education while you
invest the money in any lucrative business of your choice for the fact that
I have never done any business before in my life. I will offer you 20%
percent out of the total money for assisting me.
I want you to do me a favor to receive these funds to a safe account in
your country or any safer place as the beneficiary. I want to come over to
your country for the safety of my life from the hands of this wicked
assassins and for investment purposes because I have plans to do investment
in your country on these areas Run Thus below:
1). Telecommunication
2). the transport industry
3). Five star hotel
4). Real Estate
5). company enterprise
Or better still your are in the position to advise the good and lucrative
business where to invest the money so that it will yield us a very good
interest. This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing
to assist me, reply me with your phone number, I promise and I will be
pleased to offer to you 20% percent Of the total fund.
I will be humbly anticipate your prompt response.
Thanks and Remain Blessed
Miss. Grace Emmanuella.
Father GOD Please kindly see me through together with every other Orphans
in the whole Universe.....AMEN.
*
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