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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:
- "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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Sam Momka Jr <sammomka00@hotmail.fr>
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 14:04:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GOOD DAY AND PEACE BE WITH YOU
GOOD DAY AND PEACE BE WITH YOU
I AM SAM MOMKA JR 17 YEARS OLD BOY FROM SIERRA LEONE.I AM WRITING YOU FROM REPUBLIC OF COTE D'IVOIRE WHERE I HAVE BEEN TAKING AS REFUGE AFTER THE BRUTAL MURDER OF MY PARENTS DURING THE WAR CRISIS IN MY COUNTRY.
I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO SECURE MY INHERITANCE DEPOSITED WITH A BANK HERE IN ABIDJAN VALUED ABOUT FIVE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ALSO LIKE YOU TO ADOPT ME LIKE YOUR OWN FAMILY BY GETTING ME OUT FROM REFUGEE CAMP HERE.
I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO TRANSFER MY INHERITANCE TO YOUR COUNTRY FOR GOOD INVESTMENT PROJECT AS I'M WILLING TO RELOCATE TO YOUR COUNTRY TO FURTHER MY EDUCATION STUDY FOR MY GOOD FUTURE:
PLEASE GET BACK TO ME FOR MORE DETAILS.
WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY.
SAM MOMKA JR
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Anti-fraud resources:
