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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)
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Rhama Usman <drrhamausman2010@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 04:15:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FROM DR RHAMA USMAN.
FROM DR RHAMA USMAN.
MANAGER BILL AND EXCHANGE DEPT.
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)
OUAGADOUGOU BURKINA FASO .
DEAR FRIEND,
This message might come to you as a
surprise. However, it all just my urgent need for a foreign partner that
made me to contact you for this transaction. I got your contact from
yahoo tourist search while I was searching for a foreign partner. I
assured of your capability and reliability to champion this business
opportunity when I prayed to God to you. I am a banker by profession in
Burkina Faso , West Africa and currently holding the post of assistant
foreign remittance director in
our bank.
I have the opportunity of transferring
the left over funds ($15million dollars) of one of my bank clients who
died along with his entire family on Monday 31st July 2004 in a plane
crash. Hence I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can
be shared between us in the ratio of 60 / 40% it you agree to my
business proposal. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to
you as soon as I receive your return mail immediately you receive this
letter. Please indicate your willingness by sending the below
information for more clarification and easy communication. For me to
give you the details immediately.
(1) Your full name................
(2) Your contact address............
(3) Your Tel and Fax number.......
Trusting to hear from you immediately.
Thanks & best regards,
Dr, Rhama Usman
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Anti-fraud resources:
