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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 friend" (a common phrase found 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: richard kumbo <richardkumbokk@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 21:27:22 +0100
Subject: GET BACK TO ME ITS VERY IMPORTANT
DEAR FRIEND
I AM IN A DESPERATE SITUATION WHICH I NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE NOW. I
CAN NO LONGER HOLD BACK FOR FEAR OF PEOPLE NOT BEING HONEST WITH ME; I HAVE
RESORTED TO TAKE MY FAITH IN MY HAND.
MY LATE FATHER MR FRANK KUMBO IS THE FORMER FINANCE MINISTER OF SIERRA
LEONE,ME AND MY MOTHER WERE FORCED OUT OF THE COUNTRY DISGRACEFULLY BECAUSE
OF MY FATHER INABILITY FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.
MEANWHILE, MY LATE FATHER HAVE SOME OF HIS MONEY IN MY CARE LODGED IN WEST
AFRICA COUNTRY VALUED (US$80 MILLION).I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO RECEIVE THIS
FUND IMMEDIATELY EVEN IF I HAVE TO SHARE IT ON A
60-40BASIS WITH YOU.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A DESPERATE SITUATION THAT NEEDS YOUR
ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR INTEREST. SEND ALL YOUR INFO
PHONE AND FAX NUMBER HOPE I CAN TRUST YOU.I AM IN GHANA WHERE MY LATE FATHER
DEPOSITED THE MONEY IN A SECURITY COMPANY.TRUST IS THE WATCHWORD FOR EVERY
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP.
REGARDS.
RICHARD AND MOTHER
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Anti-fraud resources:
