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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:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- dropanwest97@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr OPAN .C. WEST" <dropanwest55@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:33:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I wait your urgent reply for more details.
Dear sir,
I am Hon Dr.Opan West. I am the United Nations Presidential Task Force Chairman for Refugees here in Ghana. I here by pass this information to you that the Member of the Parliament is looking for God fearing person who can be the Ambassador to the African refugees. The meeting was held yesterday in the castle House in OSU. Your name has been nominated So that you can be the Ambassador for the African Refugees.
I want you to forward all your details to us so that we can pass your details to the United Nation Head Office in England and America so that United Nation Head Office in England and America can put your name in the registration Book for this appointment and send you official letter regarding this appointment. I wait to Hear from you.Dr.John A King The Presidential Task force Chairman United Nations Head Quarter Accra Ghana PLEASE REPLY TO MY PRIVATE EMAIL BOX (dropanwest97@yahoo.com) PLEAS REPLY for more details, The United Nations Ambassador to the African refugee Accra Ghana Please CHECK YOUR INBOX OR spAM BECAUSE OF NETWORK.
Best Regards
Dr.Opan West
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Anti-fraud resources:
