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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Mustapha Tata <mustaphatata@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:18:40 -0700
Subject: I Need You AS My Business Partner
*Dear Sir/Madam, We are local miners from Accra-Western Region of Ghana. we
are reliable and dependable supplier for long term contract agreement with
you, to enable us have a look to get a modern mining equipment with your
help and advice. Here is the specification below: PRODUCTS:
.................... GOLD DUST/ BAR QUANTITY:.................... ..50KGS
(TO BE SUPPLIED AS FIRST TRIAL) PURITY........................ .92.5% (Pure
Gold) QUALITY:...................... 23.69k ORIGIN:.......................
... GHANA. PRICE PER KG...............$45,500 USD Payment Terms: The
Buyer will pay 10% value of the of the Gold for the shipment and export
documentation cost of the total value of the goods that will be delivered to
his/her refinery, then seller will make all the local transit cost to agent
office for the documentation before shipment. Meanwhile I have to inform
you that the mine site belong to our royal family which I think you will
meet every of my family members on the date and time of your arrival here in
my country or you can let us to ship the number of quantity you may ask us
to have the contract with. Kindly Resend to me your mobile number or you
can call me too on +233242053491.my email: Thanks. Mustapha *
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Anti-fraud resources:
