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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:
- "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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR. E.E MBAMBA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drmbamba@live.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:17:35 +0100
Subject: Attn Beneficiary Arrival of your fund to your door step
Attn Beneficiary
This is to inform you that arrangements have been concluded as regards to the
shipment of your $13.5Million Dollars consignment of funds to your country as
the federal government of Nigeria has warned the Appex bank to transfer all
overdue/uncliamed contract payment into federal reserve account for government
use which is why you have to adhere to directive of this office to enasure that
you receive your fund in good faith. before federal Government intercept it.
Note: never you let the cat our of cage to any 3rd party untill your fund arrive
your door step. as this office will not be liable to any hitch caused by your
inability to conceal the secret of this venture.
Call me immediately so that I will intimate you more on the arrangment and th
departure date of your fund trunk. remember the diplomat will be unaware of the
content of the trunk as fund. only you and this office knew the content this is
to avoid interception by customs service during departure from Murtala Muhammed
international Airport Lagos Nigeria. and arrival in your country.
Note: I know the content of the Box because I could see the amount you are being
owned by the Federal Government. This is why I decided to get involved. You must
also know that this arrangement do not concern all the people you were dealing
with in Nigeria before today as this consignment/Payment has been surrendered to
the Government. Hence my involvement.
Waiting for your urgent call on +2347064310364
Thanks
Dr. E.E Mbamba
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