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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 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)
- "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: Joesph Adams <josephadamslynch@gmail.com>
Reply-To: josepheadamslynch@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:12:59 -0500
Subject: Greetings
Dear Friend,
Good day to you and your family.
May I clave your indulgence to solicit for your co-operation in a
mutual and beneficial business opportunity which involves safeguarding
funds, to the tone of USD 136 MILLION (ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX
MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) which belong to one of my client Mr.
Micha Gaillard a politician and a university Professor who died
January 14th 2010 while attending a meeting at the Ministry of Justice
when the quake struck near Haitian Capital Port-au-Price.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micha_Gaillard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake#Damage_to_infrastructure
Honestly, I am very sceptical to discuss this fund project through
this medium as I would have loved to have a face to face discussions
first. This is due to lots of unsolicited/scam mails/letters
circulating presently worldwide as I wouldn't want my honourable name
to be dragged to mess as mistaken intention.
I would be glad to provide more elaborate details concerning this fund
as soon as I get your response and your sincere acceptance to partner
with me for the purpose of transferring this fund into your oversea
bank account.
Please this transaction must be kept highly secret and confidential
due to the fact that I am still in active service and also in the
interest of my late client personality.
Meanwhile, all your rewards, benefits and obligations/duties shall be
favourably discussed and agreed, as soon as I receive your honest
acceptance to partner with me with total commitments both for the
total transfer of this money into your bank account and most
importantly for the overall profitable investment of the money after
the transfer in your country or any other place you may suggest.
In a brief introduction my name is Mr. Joseph Adams. I am an
Investment banker/portfolio manager with Merrill Lynch South Africa
Pty Ltd. (Merrill Lynch is the wealth management division of bank of
America.)
More details about the transaction will be given to you when I receive
affirmative response from you together with all your personal/company
details.
Once again thank you and remain blessed
Yours Faithfully
J. Adams
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