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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:
- "dear brother " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- 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.
- jf.royaltrustfs@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: amina abdulkareem <mrs.amina2013@live.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:16:07 +0000
Subject: RE: Contact
Good day my dear brother John,
hope you and your family are doing well?
(I am writing you this email with the help of a nurse taking care of me, please pardon any errors)
I have just received your email with an mtcn number from your agent who wrote me an email on your behalf. I would like you to talk to the director of operations, Mr. James Fiifi on this number +233 245-390-215 He will ensure that the consignment boxes get to you pronto. Please ensure that you talk to him, he is awaiting contact from you. His email is: jf.royaltrustfs@gmail.com and jamesfifi@royaltrustfs.8m.com
I will like to have your personal mobile phone number for easy communication. Mr. James Fiifi also requested to have your mobile number, so please do well to provide me with mobile number.
He is waiting to hear from you with great anticipation.
May God continue to guide, provide and protect you and your family supper abundantly.
Your sister: Amina Abdulkareem
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