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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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Usman Bello <us404bello@yahoo.com.sg>
Reply-To: Mr Usman Bello <us3333bello@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 23:36:11 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Greetings from Usman Bello.
Greetings from Usman Bello.
Re:American Samoa victim
Dear Sir.
I am the senior consultant to one of the top staff of the NNPC, my client mandated me to contact you for an assist to move the total sum 15.5 million dollars of which I am down to my knees pleading for your uncommon assistance over the actualization of our project valued for $15.5m belonging to the late contractor, David Sootaga is one of the foriegn contractor with the Petroleum and Gas sector that died in 2009 Samoa earthquake while he was on holidays back home in samao.
Plesae confirm from the web site then i will inform you with the next plan of action, moreover every supplied detials about the late contractor, the fund and my cleint must be kept top secret now and after the transfer made into your care.
http://www.talamua.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=549
Thanks and be blessed.
Sincerely yours
Barrister Usman Bello. (ESQ)
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