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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:
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- info.uba225@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Toure Christelle <chris_christoure2007@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:43:24 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Dear Gentle Friend,
Dear Gentle Friend,
My name is Mrs. Christy Toure. I am a dying woman who has decided to donate what I have to you/church. I am 46 years old and I was diagnosed of cancer of about 1 year ago. I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for the good work of God.
Contact my Bank Director with this Email:
Name Guillaume Liby
Address: 29, Boulevard Clozel Abidjan 01 BP 3586 Cote d’Ivoire.
Telephone 0022508577480
Email :info.uba225@yahoo.fr
Tell him that I have WILLED (2.5 Million Euros only) to you by quoting my personal reference number zdi/79/z0kl/54 and I have also notified him that I am WILLING that amount to you for a good work. Use your judgment to distribute the money and keep 30% of it to yourself. I know I don’t know you but I have been directed to do this.
Thanks and God Bless.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Christy Toure
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Anti-fraud resources:
