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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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- 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.
- commandermalikmusa@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Taha Baba" <taha_baba11@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:12:03 +0100 (CET)
Subject: appeal for urgent assistance.
Goodday.
This is Taha Baba and his mother ( Marriam) from the Republic of Sudan,
we just arrive the Ghana boader with a small trunk box containing 8.5million
euros, my father was a manager to a Gold company in my country before he
died of Asthma and my mother is a renown caterer who works with one of
the big manufacturing industry in my country as the chief caterer.
Sir i got your contact from one United Nation Missionarian who came to my
country to preach on a crusade which was held by my church, the man told
us that you are a good and reliable man who have been helping most of the
African Refugees like me and you are also a trustworthy man with
influence all over the place.
not just that he told me that you can help me manage my late father's
funds as my beneficiary in oversea.
Yesterday at about 8.30pm when we arrived the Ghana boarder entry Ghana
there i was held by some group of men who were on guard at the Exit of
the
boarder with my box as i was crossing to Accra that i should pay for a
boarder charge before they will allow me cross with the box.
with my intention i had in mind that when i get to Accra i will look for a
suitable hotel to lodge first so that from there i will open my box to get
some cash to send to you for you to come and take me and my box to your
country to start investing the funds and i will be going to school.
As i was standing so helpless and confuse there one of the guards told me
that i should not worry that he will get intouch with their Chief
Commander to hear what he will say but i will have to pass the night here
at the boader, so it was this morning when the Chief Commander came to
the office he met with me and he gave me some interview by asking my name,
country , age and educational and family background.
Please sir i want you to get intouch with the Chief Custom Commander now
his name is Chief Custom Commander Malik Musa on this telephone line +233
542 407 469 or via his email : commandermalikmusa@yahoo.com telling him
that you are my foreign beneficiary which i am coming to Accra Ghana to
deliver the trunk box to you in your country.
call him now and get back to me.
Thanks and God Bless you.
Taha Baba.
http://www.udo.edu.ve
Universidad de Oriente - Venezuela.
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