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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- 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.
- barristeramanfo08@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Felix Wadata <felixwadata2006@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:30:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Urgent Assistance to help me receive my consignment in your country
Attn Sir/Madam
How are you and your family?
I hope all is well.
I am Felix Naima Wadata from the Democratic Republic of Congo,who is
here in Ghana in respect of my inherited fund $5 million USD which is
safely kept in a metallic computerized consignment box and deposited by
my father in a security company here in Ghana called Mazee security
LTD..
So I beg for your help to assist me sponsor the release of this box to
us as my foreign beneficiary,and also help me receive the box and help
me obtain a stay Visa in your country and help me come over to your
country for better investment of this funds.
For your assistance I am ready to give you 50% of the total funds after
expenses covering the release of the box must have been deducted.
also attached my Id refugee Id card,a scanned copy of my Certificate
of ownership and Deposit slip.
As soon as you agree to assist me receive the consignment in your
country to come and start up new life go back to school as you will
invest the fund for me . so you are advice to contact my family
lawyer Barrister Yebaoh Amanfo on email BARRISTERAMANFO08@GMAIL.COM
to give you better guide line to receive my consignment immediately
in your country send your phone number to me
Waiting to hear from you
Felix Wadata
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