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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Zainah Mustapha <zainahmustaphaa@gmail.com>
Reply-To: zainahmustaapha@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 2015 20:21:54 +0800
Subject: URGENT INVESTMENT
Dear Sir/Madam,
My Name is Zainah Mustapha, My Father Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha
(Late) was a Deputy Governor of Borno State here in North East of
Nigeria. My family is no longer safe now that my father is dead and
because of things that is happening here in Borno State, My mother
advised me to look for someone that can help us invest outside Nigeria
so that we can relocate because of this Boko Haram crisis in Borno
State Nigeria today. Boko Haram is really disturbing here in Borno
State. Everyday Bombing, Killing and Shooting here and there. Please
have pity on us and help us invest so that we can relocate to continue
our life over there in your Country. You can also read through below
link.
www.ibtimes.co.uk/nigeria-boko-haram-kills-dozens-fresh-attack-borno-state-1518295
Please We need urgent attention if you are interested in this
investment proposal.
Thank you and God bless you.
Regards
Zainah Mustapha
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Anti-fraud resources:
