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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:
- 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:
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Department of Petroleum Resources D.P.R" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <director.ahmed.sabonbirni@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:40:06 +0100
Subject: HELLO WFFQOPPUZT
ATTN: PRESIDENT/CEO
I am extending this message to you in my capacity as The Director General And in full agreement with the Auditor-General of this company
(DepartmentOf Petroleum Resources D.P.R).We have scrutinized all records and accounts Of Awarded and executed contracts of this company (DPR) during the previous Military regimes since the inception of democracy in Nigeria and carefullyUncovered and mapped out a whopping sum of USD90M which we want to transfer Into your account as the beneficiary.
It might interest you to know that Department of Petroleum Resources D.P.R Came into full working capacity during the inception of current civilian Dispensation at a working/asset capacity of USD 3Billion and will defiantly Gulp more USD 2Billion on the completion of the fifth part. You can Authentically apply for contracts if it interests you to be our client with Full guarantee from me. The money USD20M has been approved for
payment by This company D.P.R, Federal ministry of Finance (endorsed by the Accountant General of the Federation) and to be paid by the Apex
Bank of Nigeria under Contract number DPR/FGN/FMF/CBN/C997/03.
As top civil servant, we are not authorized to operate foreign bank account Hence our decision to use your account on full trust and confidence to Transfer this money outside Nigeria. We have accepted you as our foreignPartner and will regularize the approvals to reflect you as the true Beneficiary of the contract Sum USD90M (Twenty Million, U.S.Dollars Only).
More over, There is no risk and does not required much engagements since we Have taken care of the deal in full capacity. We have resolved to give
you 30% of the total sum for your assistance. If you are interested in this Deal, please contact me immediately you receive this message through my Direct email for more lively information’s.
I am anxiously waiting for your response with hope that you understand the Confidential nature of this transfer.
Yours Faithfully,
Director.Ahmed Sabonbirni
LUNRHMQSZIMFUMROOJWGRNTKTBHYQWCBUKRMMV
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