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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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: "George Ngoram." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <george_ngoram@yahoo.co.th>
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 10:41:11 +0200
Subject: Dear Friend,
Dear Friend,
Please I begg you to exercise patience and go through my proposal. My name is Mr George Ngoram.I am a lawyer based here in Cote D’Ivoire and have been working for Late Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem who was in charge of all Late Leader Muammer Gaddafi assets in Cote d’ivoire.Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem was one of the special assistant to the Former Libyan Leader Muammer Gaddafi.He served as his personal envoy for his business relations in West Africa.His operation's with the Gaddafi family was more else confidential. Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem help Gaddafi to buy over all total oil stations in Cote d'ivoire which is now oil Libya and he also help the gaddafi's family to open a bank here in Cote d'Ivoire name BSIC Bank. Although this investments has been taken over by the new government but this are just part of the investment that my late client (Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem) assisted the gaddfi family acquire in West Africa.
Just immediately after the commencement of the revolution Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem left for Libya to meet with his boss which is Gaddafi's son (Salif Al Islam) who super heads all their external investments. That was the last time i saw and heard from him and later i heard he was kill in one of the Nato's air strike in Tripoli. This was a disaster for me because we have unfinished transaction and deposit still left with a Security/finance company here in Cote d’Ivoire. Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem had deposited in Gold and cash with a Security and Finance company in total sum of Twenty Million United States Dollars. I tried to contact Engr Sayed Nasr Ghanem and fortunately his brother Mr Abdoul - Haziz Ghanem has come forward for the claim of the assets deposited with the Security/Finance company. I wish to seek your assistance to help move this gold and money to any country safe.
It is our intention to compensate you with 20% of the total valued assets for your services and the balance shall be our capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Awaiting your urgent and positive response. Please do keep this only to yourself. I beg you not to disclose it.
Sincerely yours
George Ngoram.
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