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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:
- "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.
- patokalaeq@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Goodison Brad <brad.goodison@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 12:02:41 +0000
Subject: Ref: We Can Do This, Let's Work Together.
I am a freelancer working as a secret service intelligent operative. We were hired to capture top terrorist members in Africa which is likely believed to be linked with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb called Boko Haram. We have carried out our secret intelligence operations on them in countries like Niger, Mali, Benin Republic, Ghana and Nigeria which is their strong hold. They always have their escape rout to middle east but we are closing up on them and that is why I am in the middle east now.
There is money I deposited in the Bank a few weeks ago through the help of a friend who is a bank manager while in Africa,Nigeria where it was uncovered. Due to the nature of our job we can not carry such big money along. Me and my team came across the money box during our operations and we shared it. I've got $12 million in there. This is my last operation and I need the money to start a new life. I have a son and I can not tell my son this because he is still too young. Please contact Barrister Pat Okala through this e-mail address:( patokalaeq@yahoo.com ) for obtaining of legal documents to claim the money from bank and have it transferred to you. He is the Bank lawyer, kindly contact him and keep me updated. You are assured of 30% of the total sum if you work with me on this transfer.
Goodison Brad
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Anti-fraud resources:
