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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:
- "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: "Mrs. Safia Farkash Gahdafi" <postmessage@globomail.com>
Reply-To: mrs.gahdafi@globomail.com
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:35:53 +0100
Subject: RE: GREETINGS
--
Hello,
I am Mrs.Safia Farkash Gahdafi the wife of the late Libyan Leader Colonel
Muammar Gahdafi. Following the recent rebellion in my country and the
brutal death of my husband on the 20 Oct 2011, I have been thrown into a
state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness; I have been
subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in
Algeria where we seek refuge at present.
My son was killed by the rebels for an offense he did not commit. As a
widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody within
the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on
the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in
different security firms abroad, some companies willingly give up their
secrets and disclosed our money confidently lodged there or many outright
blackmail. In fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is in
the tune of $900 Million Dollars. And they are not relenting to make me
poor for life; I got your contact email address through my research and out
of desperation decided to reach you through this medium. I will give you
more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great
confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed
on my day to day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is
why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence
in you. I have deposited the sum of ($18) Million Dollars with a Bank whose
name is withheld for now until we open communication.
I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your account for
safe keeping. This arrangement is known to you and me alone. I am seriously
considering relocating to your country once the fund is transferred to you.
I will be willing to offer you 30% of the total fund if only you will
receive this fund and keep it for us.
Please in case you don’t accept please do not let me out to the security as
I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence .I will
greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.
I appreciate your timely suggestion and interest over this matter
Best Regards
Mrs.Safia Farkash Gahdafi
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