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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
- 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.
- bhakia.uhuru@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Richard Lagat Bhakia" <s.satisfactory@aim.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 12:50:07 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Investment Proposal' From (Bhakia & Uhuru Law Firm).
Attn: My Dear Friend,
I write to you based on a request by an investor who needs to invest
his funds in your country. My name is Barrister Richard Lagat Bhakia, a
solicitor here in Nairobi Kenya. Our Law firm most times represents the
interests of very wealthy investors mainly from East and North Africa.
Due to the sensitivity of their position they hold in their
organization and the unstable investment environment of their
countries, they prefer to channel/move majority of their funds into
more stable economies and developing nations where they can get good
yield for their money and its safety.
This reserved group of individuals, whom our firm personally holding
there asset instructed and approached us with a mandate to seek for a
firm or an individual such as yourself who has the experience and
capacity to receive their assets and re-invest it into a good lucrative
investment you will recommend.
Kindly let us know your acceptance to this offer, also you should
furnish us with full comprehensive draft of your terms and condition.
We also need to know about the area or idea of investment plans you are
to propose. Once we are convinced of your capacity to handle these
assets we will then provide you with all necessary information
including the unmentioned amount involved.
Send your acceptance and response to the email below:
Contact Email: bhakia.uhuru@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Barr: Richard Lagat Bhakia
Bhakia & Uhuru Law Firm
Email: bhakia.uhuru@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
