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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:
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- profofuegbuevans1@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Evans Ofuegbu" <prgolfpro@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: <profofuegbuevans1@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 16:51:01 +0100
Subject: I seek for your corporation!......
Attention:
My name is Evans Ofuegbu, the Director of Operations in the Directorate of
Project Development. Last year I made an arrangement with one Mr. Michael
McNulty a national of the United State of America in the state of
Wisconsin to hold on my behalf the sum of $15 Million to be used for
investment, the money was slated to move in three phase of $5 Million at
each phase. We worked together and obtained all the papers needed to
transfer the first $5Million but as soon as the fund was confirmed in his
bank account he disconnected his phone line 715 694 5761 and
disappeared.His was staying at #45, Peterson Rd, Black River
Fall,Wisconsin.
My tenure as the Director of Operation in the Directorate of Project
Development (DOPD) will end by this year (2010) and I don’t want the
opportunity I have here in making myself rich to be wasted hence I am
contacting you to work with me and keep on my behalf for investment the
balances sum $10Million.
As a civil servant still under services of my government I am barred from
operating foreign account and I would not deposit this amount in my local
account here because I had declared my asset immediately I was appointed
into my present position. I will make you my investment manager after a
commission of $1Million from the $10Million for your kind help and I pray
I will not be disappointed again. I seek for your corporation and
sincerity towards this business.
1) Can you handle this project?
2) Can I give you this trust?
Please contacts me immediately via email with your complete names and
numbers (Phone and Fax) and I will get back to you explain areas you felt
you want to know better.Please reply to this via:
profofuegbuevans1@yahoo.com.hk
Yours faithfully,
Evans Ofuegbu
Director of Operation
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