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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.
- 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)
- "million 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)
- "barr." (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.
- 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.
- barr.asantejerry60@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ATTORNEY ASANTE" <eh.un.peacekeeping@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barr.asantejerry60@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:57:37 +0000
Subject: FROM THE ATTORNEY URGENT
Dear Friend.
As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive information through the business directory at chamber of commerce and Industry here in Accra Ghana.let me properly introduce myself to you. My name is Barr.Jerry Asante i am an attorney at law here in Ghana. i represent a little boy named Vankara Sakour, Little Vankara Sakour is a victim of war in Sudan. he was born in Zimbabwe by late Mr. Adams V.Sakour a big time farmer in Zimbabwe before his death in Sudan in 2013.
During his time as a farmer Mr. Sakour Deposited the sum of $2.1 Million United States Dollars with a security trust company here in Ghana . i was at the refugee camp for a visit as i normally do when little Vankara walk up to me and narrated his story. i was touched and decided to assist him get his father's money from the security trust company.As a practicing lawyer here in Ghana i understand it is absolutely impossible for me to get it without the help of a trust worthy person whom would stand as a guardian to little Vankara. I would need your assistance to stand as his guardian to receive the money in your country and then find a way to get little Vankara to your country as your own child and help him invest his money to enabl him further his Education.
I have all modalities in place as regards the release and transfer of his money to you there. i just want your response so i can forward you details on how to go about the release. there should be no fear because everything has been legally planned.
I await your response.
Sincerely
Barr.Asante Jerry
Tel: +233-24-3862635 Email: barr.asantejerry60@gmail.com <mailto:barr.asantejerry60@gmail.com>
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