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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united state 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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "@lawyer.com" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "monrovia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- donkorchamber@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- ghana tel +233-543423065/ fax +233-21405513 email:donkorchamber@gmail.com/ donkorchamber@lawyer.com (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- 3adonkorchamber@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Barr Kenneth Donkor <donkorchamber@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:23:38 +0100
Subject: Attorney At Law
KENNETH DONKOR CHAMBER
(Attorney at Law and Legal Consultants)
P.O. Box 175 #Mankralo Close East Cantonment Accra Ghana
Tel +233-543423065/ Fax +233-21405513
Email:donkorchamber@gmail.com<Email%3Adonkorchamber@gmail.com>/
donkorchamber@lawyer.com
Attention:
Let me use this opportunity to introduce my self.
My name is Barrister Kenneth Donkor (Esq.).A personal attorney to my late
client Chief Peter Kojo, who worked with Mining Company, Chief. Peter Kojo
from Monrovia Liberia well known Philanthropist, before he died, he made a
Will in my law firm stating that $12.5 Million United State Dollars should
be release with the aid of a foreign partner.
My chambers conducted a random draw which was supervised by the Ministry of
justice, the attorney General of Ghana and The Security Company where the
money was deposited by my late client Chief. Peter Kojo.
I am particularly interested in securing this money from the Security
Company, because they have issued a notice instructing my chamber to produce
the beneficiary.
It is my utmost desire to execute the Transaction with you of our late
client. You are required to contact me immediately you read my email to
start the process of delivery of the funds to any of your destination. I
will want you to contact me immediately for further details bearing in mind
that the next of kin to late chief peter kojo is here in Accra Ghana in the
refugee camp build by the United Nations.
The next of kin as agreed to offer 20% for any expenses that may occur
during the transaction and 10 % for yours assistance.
Regards
Barr. K. Donkor
Attorney at Law
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