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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- owolabidave59@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ENGR OWOLABI DAVE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <owolabidave59@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 16:25:17 +0100
Subject: 08/02/2011 ENGR OWOLABI DAVID.
Letter Of Introduction
I am Engr. Dave Owolabi a Director in the project and planning department of the Nigeria National Petroleum corporation (NNPC),I head a seven man Tenders Board Committee in charge of contract award and Payment approvals.I came to know of you in my search for a reliable and reputable person To handle a very confidential transaction,There were series of contracts executed by a consortium of Multinationals in the oil industry in favour of the NNPC among which were:
The expansion of Pipeline network within Nigeria for crude oil and downstream products distribution and subsequent evacuation - US$2 Billion.
The original value of of these contracts were deliberately over-invoiced In the sum of US$28,000,000.00)
To enable us proceed immediately you are to send the below informations.
1. Your full name:
2. Your Direct telephone and fax numbers:
3. Your contact address:
4. Your Occupation:
5. Your Age:
6. Your Country:
If you are intrested in working with us kindly reply through my private email for easy access :owolabidave59@yahoo.com.hk
Regards,
Engr. Dave Owolabi.
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