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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.
- 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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- gazalli1965@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ghazalli Adams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gazalli1965@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:10:39 +0700
Subject: REQUEST FOR YOUR HELP
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Hello Dear, My name is Ghazalli Adams 50yrs
I am from Damascus in Syria country. I escaped from my country Syria because of war which has killed over 4000 people and now in United Nations refugee camp. my house and my two gasoline stations in Syria was bombed by the rebel soldiers and now I do not have a home even in my country Syria
I am not comfortable here and as Arab man who was into big oil business and live comfortable in my country, I want to relocate to your country, and settle my life and start a new business.
I have the sum cash money of $5.5m (Five million Five hundred thousand united states dollars) deposited in a bank in London which I want to send to you secure for me in your country and my only hope to have a new life overseas if I happens to get a honest business partner who will guide me and we invest the money in good business for our happy life.
I will give you $500,000 for you helping me to secure the money in your country.
If my offer of $500,000 is not acceptable by you, We can still negotiate. My major concern is to secure the money for me.
I am waiting your reply.
Insha Allah
Ghazalli Adams
Email:gazalli1965@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
