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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Dura Gold <duragoldcompany@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:22:38 +0100
Subject: We need your urgent reply
DEAR SIR/MADAM,
I AM A GOLD FARMER THAT REPRESENTED SEVERAL SMALL SCALE GOLD MINING
CO-OPERATIVES IN GHANA WEST AFRICA. I HAVE THE POWER OF ATTORNEY TO
REPRESENT AND NEGOTIATE ON THEIR BEHALF.
AT THE PRESENT TIME WE HAVE 450 KILOS OF ALLUVIAL GOLD DUST IN STOCK
FOR SALE AND THE PURITY IS 22+ CARAT PLUS OR 99.67% WHILE OUR PRICE IS
$28000.00 PER KILO WHICH IS RELATIVELY MUCH CHEAPER - JUST TO ENABLE
US ATTRACT FOREIGN BUYERS AND RAISE MONEY TO PURCHASE MINING
EQUIPMENT.
DURAGOLD MINING GROUP NATIONAL CAPITAL, ACCRA.
F.O.B: ACCRA GHANA
AU GOLD DUST
PURITY 99.67%
QUANTITY: 450. KG
ORIGIN: GHANA
PRICE: $28000.00
THE EXPORTING OF THE GOLD TO YOUR DESTINATION WILL BE DONE BY A
LICENSED SHIPPING COMPANY E.G (EXEL LOGISTIC GHANA LTD), TO PROVIDE
THAT SERVICE WHEN YOU ARRIVE OR READY TO EXPORT WITHOUT YOUR ABSENT IN
ACCRA-GHANA.
YOU WILL BE RECEIVING BY FAX/EMAIL EXPORT COST CHARGES FROM OUR
SHIPPING COMPANY. IF YOU ARE READY TO BUY, YOU STAND TO RECEIVE 1.5%
OFF THE TOTAL SALES. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME BACK.
BEST REGARDS,
MANAGER
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Anti-fraud resources:
