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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:
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "million 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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Aisha Gaddafi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <agaddafi276@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2016 23:45:02 +0100
Subject: RE: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED !!
I am Aisha Gaddafi the daughter of Col. Muammar Gaddafi, the murdered president of Libya. I am currently residing in Oman but unfortunately as a fugitive. My freedom and right is compromised by the condition of stay.
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/family-of-gaddafi-take-refuge-in-oman-29153449.html
I have huge amount of money deposited secretly in privatesafe boxes with a security and courier company, one of these boxes of 5 Million dollarswould be transferred to you for you for safe keeping at an offer of 25% ownership of the funds to you as your share capital.
I have considered all odds are facing andI intendthat the boxes should be sent as cash delivery and it will be delivered to you in your country. The lawyer will stand and pose as the sender and the funds will be sent as investment funds, so my identity and my family identity will not appear in the transaction.
What is required is for the lawyer to prepare a document of transfer of ownership to your name which you will use in contacting the security company, after which the security company BAX Security Company Ghana will proceed to deliver the safe consignments to you,
If you agree to proceed I will ask the lawyer to secure the document and send the consignment.. After you receive the consignment I will travel secretly and under a new identity to join you.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours Faithfully,
Dr. Aisha Gaddafi
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