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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:
- "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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Denis Promis <chid_90@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2012 06:42:29 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: urgent
Attn:
urgent
I am sorry to write you through this medium, is just the urgency of the matter concern that propelled me to reach you via this way.let me introduce myself first.
I am Austin Oniwon and It is my pleasure to write this mail basically to seek your consent on this transaction which involves transfer of an over-invoiced sum of money from my ministry NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) to your bank account. The amount involved is United States $ 40.5 Million Dollars . I am the Chairman of the Contract Award Committee (CAC) in my ministry , Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) .
This amount was intentionally over-invoiced for our benefit. We have worked carefully to secure the approval of the fund since the original contract value has been paid on completion of the contract in 2006. Then the remaining balance of the US$ 50.5million is what we intend to transfer secretly to you using your bank account details. Our sharing modalities will be discussed soon as you indicate your willingness to work with me privately.
My Regard
Austin Oniwon.
Chairman Contract Award Committee
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Anti-fraud resources:
