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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)
- "hundred thousand 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: "FELIX K.OWUSU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <owusuflx@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:34:49 +0100
Subject: Very Urgent I Need Your Help
Good Day my dear Friend,
How are you today? Please I apologize for communicating with you through this medium considering the fact that we has not met each other before.My name is Felix Owusu; I am a Ghanaian national. My father was a paramount chief in our community before he was murdered with our family lawyer by community rebels due to dispute over the control of gold and diamond mining site being own by my family.
I have an Inheritance that was left for me by my late father before his death. This Inheritance is 50 kilo’s of gold bars and Five Million four Hundred thousand United States Dollars and all in the custody of depository vault. I promise to dedicate my life in making this family happy who will accept me as part of them since my father is dead. You will assist me to invest these treasures in a venture that will bring good profit in your country and you as the investment manager since doctor have confirmed that my health status is very delicate state.
I need you as my trustee partner/beneficiary to receive this treasure inheritance on my behalf in your country because I want to migrate to your country where I will spend the rest of my life. I am not happy living down here again because of this tragedy that befallen me that’s why I want to relocate outside where I can put my past behind and start a new life for the remaining of my days. I am currently out of the community and now staying in the city where I can lay my hands on my inheritance if find a sincere partner that can assist me because I am afraid of my life because sources have said that my father death was politically motivated.
If I find favor in your eyes then I am ready to negotiate the commission you will take in this transaction after we have successfully accomplished it. I ask that you help me in this difficult situation that I am in and help me find a new direction in life. My Best Regards to you and your family.
My Best Regards to you and your family.
Mr. Felix Owusu.
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