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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:
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: kiven mammeh <kivenmammeh@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:12:48 +0000
Subject: GREETINGS
ATTENTION:
Compliments of the season to you. My name is KIVEN MAMMEH I am from
Liberia staying in the refugee Camp here with my Brother I got your
contact through the quest for somebody that will be very helpful to
assist us receive our consignment.
MY father was the Military Commandant in the Liberia Armed Forces of
Charles Taylor before he was arrested & taking to Netherlands where
they are been prosecuted with Charles Taylor the former President.
Since their arrest, we have not heard from him & our family has been
under serious threat & intimidation.
So we decided to leave the country through the assistance of a United
Nation Personal to Ghana where we are hiding . Pending when we are
able to meet somebody who will help us to receive our fathers
Consignment. In the Consignment is 25klos of Gold & the sum of
$15,500,000 ( FIFTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS). Please we don't
want anybody to expose us .We are ready to offer you 25% of the total
sum & the Gold after sales.
The consignment is right now at the International Airport pending when
you are ready to help us clear it I have the name & phone number of
the Customs officer who has been very good to us in case we want to
clear it .
We are count ting on you to see that this our last hope & aim is
achieved. I hope to hear from you soon
Regards,
KIVEN MAMMEH
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Anti-fraud resources:
