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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)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "million 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.)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- annanangates@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- at law no: 10 odia crescent, garaki-abuja email: annanangates@gmail.com dear friend, my name is barrister williams peters a (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: annanangates@gmail.com <annanangates@gmail.com>
Date: 8 Jul 2014 19:55:29 -0000
Subject: REPLY
Legal Practitioners
Solicitors At Law
No: 10 Odia Crescent,
Garaki-Abuja
EMAIL: annanangates@gmail.com
Dear Friend,
My name is Barrister Williams Peters a solicitor at law. I am the
personal attorney to Tony Cobb a national of your country, who used to
work with shell Development Company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be
referred to as my client. On the December 25th 2011,my client and his
entire family died in a bomb blast carried out by Boko Haram Islamic
sect early Sunday morning in Abuja Nigeria.
You will read more stories about the blast on visiting this website:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/boko-haram-bombs-churches-in-abuja-jos-40-dead/105778/
Since then I have made several Enquiries to his embassy to locate any
of my clients extended Relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts,I have contacted you to
assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client
before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance
Company where these huge deposits were lodged. Where the deceased had
an account valued at about $9.5 million dollars as the Finance company
has issued a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account
confiscated within the next ten official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3
years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at $9.5 million
can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. I have all
necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may
make.Please kindly reply me with the below information about your self
Full name:
Direct Mobile number:
Mailing Address:
Age:
Country:
Sex:
Occupation:
This will enhance the confidentiality of the transaction.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please I
will like you to get back to me as soon as possible on my private
email address; (williamsspeter@gmail.com) you are free to ask any
question.
I will be waiting for your response, in other for us to move forward.
Best Regards,
Barrister Anna Gates (ESQ)
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