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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:
- 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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu" <Samirkamel@peacockeg.net>
Reply-To: benotti54@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2015 23:42:43 -0300
Subject: Re:Re:Transaction Letter
Your attention.
Sir
My letter might come as a surprise to you especially since we have never
met or discuss before. Basically, the message might sound strange but it
is factual in reality if only you care to know, Well, my names are Dr.
Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu the Group Managing Director Nigeria National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),I am seeking for partnership in a deal
worth of $15.561.000.00.
We plan to transfer this amount $15.561.000.00 to you due to terms that
requires foreign identification also our restrictions to foreign account
as a civil servant so i believe this confidence and trust reposed on you
cannot be over emphasized.
Therefore, I plead you never betray me weather you can assist or not. My
personal details will be communicated as soon as you confirm your
interest to assist.
Regards
Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu
Group Managing
Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
