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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- josephsesay77@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Joseph and Mother <josephsesay77@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2013 02:52:08 +1100
Subject: Joseph and Mother
My Dearest Friend.
I am In a desperate situation which I need your Immediate assistance now....I can no longer hold back for fear of people not been honest to me and my Mother. I have resorted to take my faith In my hands. my late Father was a crude oil merchandise, he died of heart attack due to his last vessel transaction was Hi-jacked by sea pirates. my late father could not pay back the huge some of money he borrowed from his bank In Sierra-Leon.
My late Father left some of his money In my care which he lodged In a Security Company In Ghana. according to the documents In my hands the deposited funds valued USD$6.4 million United State Dollars with some alluvaral gold dust for safe keeping. please with much regards and respect I totally need your maximum trust to claim this funds out of the Security Company with me and my Mother. we have visited the Security Company I was told by the chief director of the Security Company that I need a foreign beneficiary that will guide me and assist me make the claim and receive this funds because of my age and the instruction made by my late Father that was why I contacted you. please even If I have to share It (70-30) basis with you.
please Understand that this Is a desperate situation that needs your absolute confidence. please let me know your Interest. you can flourish me with your contact detail to enable myself and my Mother speak with you on the telephone. I hope myself and Mother can trust you??? trust Is the the watchword for every successful business relationship.
Best Regards
Joseph and Mother
josephsesay77@yahoo.com
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