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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (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 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.
- james.igb1962@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: James Igbo <james.igb1960@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 18:17:29 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PLAN
Dear Sir,
Compliments of the day. Forgive my indignation if this message may come to
you as a surprise and if it might offend you without your prior consent and
writing through this medium.
I am James Igbo Esq. I have a client who wants to invest in your Country
with the sum of US$21.5M. My client was a former STATE GOVERNOR in Liberia
here and needs protection for his family.
If you can handle such a huge sum for investment into a profitable with low
risk business, please get back to me as soon as possible for further
briefing, on the investment plan and agreement procedure. Kindly reply to
the below email adds with your business profile to enable us advise our
Client accordingly, and do not forget to include your telephone contacts
for easy communication.Reply to my private Emails address:
james.igb1962@gmail.com
Yours In Service.
James Igbo Esq.
My Private Telephone Number:+233-545-588-239
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Anti-fraud resources:
