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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Ojiofor Emensy <ojioforemensy@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 21:01:34 +0100
Subject: A Very Good Day To You.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a young innocent girl that I want you to take care of her in your
place and put her in a good school for her to have a better life. She is
from Sudan where they have a Civil war but she is a refugee now in Ghana
for the safety of her life. She has enough funds to take care of her
education and a better life in your place.
The killings there(Sudan) by the rebel Soldiers is so much that many
innocent children have lost their parents. Her parents were targeted by the
rebels and killed for being part of the interim Government in Sudan leaving
her with an inheritance of $8.600.000(Eight million & six hundred thousand
US dollars) and also 86 kilos of gold which he kept somewhere else.
You would be entitled to 30% of this funds if you adopt this young girl and
help her settle down in your place as your child and help her get a good
education. You will use her 70% to enroll her in a good school and you can
invest the money for her.
This is my humble request to help this little girl to secure her future
again and you should know that this is not all about making profit but just
for you to show your kindness towards this girl, I believe strongly that
you can be of help due to your philanthropic nature.
I will be waiting to hearing from you ,so that we can proceed to the next
level which is the adoption process before you can suggest on possible
means to get the fund transferred into your designated account and the gold.
Best regards
Barrister Ojiofor Emensy Esq.
Ojiofor & Associates
No:52 Castle Road, Osu
Accra - Ghana.
Phone: +233 543903117
Fax:+233 302949335
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Anti-fraud resources:
