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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:
- "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)
- "million us 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- gladyc.williams@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: GLADYC WILLIAMS <gladyc.williams@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: gladyc.williams@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 11:48:52 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: miss glad williams
Miss. gladyc Williams
Lot 1258 Abidjan
Cote d' Ivoire.
Pls reply me at gladyc.williams@yahoo.com
Hello Dear
How are you today, Hope my email finds you in good and Healthy Condition.
Pls kindly Permit me introduce myself to you.
I am gladyc Williams 22years old female from Serria Leone in West Africa. i
am a university undergraduate before i left my country to Abidjan cote d
ivoire. Due to the death of my late parents along with my younger brother
Luis who died of Poison in 2006.
Since then i have been finding it very hard to survive, As a result of the
death of my parent i have to drop out of the University, Presently i am
living in a Church here in abidjan.
Pls i want to seek your help for the Release and transfer my Inheritans of
$7.5million us dollars deposited in a TrunkBox in one of the reputable
Security Company(As family Valueables) here in Abidjan by my late father Mr
Russel Williams who was a Diamond and Gold Business Exporter before his
death, to your Country where i hope to complete my Education and as well
invest the Money wisely under your care.
Pls i kindly permit to ask you this few Question:
1. Can you help me sincerely from your Heart ?
2. What percentage will be ok for you after the Consignment must have been
Delivered to you over there in your country ?
3. Can you be able to come down to Abidjan to complete the Transaction in
Person ?
4.can you help me and get visa in other for me to come over with you in person firs?befor transaction,for your assurance.
Pls email me Today,so i can give you more details regarding how you can
help me .
I await your urgent response today.
Thanks and GOD bless you.
gladyc.
Pls reply me at gladyc.williams@yahoo.com
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