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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "30% for you " (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)
- "jwconsultant@statoilpro.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "John Walker" <tecteam@usa.com>
Reply-To: jwconsultant@statoilpro.com
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:23:16 +0100
Subject: Partnership Request
Hello dear,
I am Mr. John Walker a business consultant based in Accra Ghana. I
am being consulted by some Libyan business men who want me to assist them to arrange for partners who will work with them to get their funds out of Accra-Ghana.
The fund is legitimately earned and was moved out of Libya to Accra-Ghana during the political unrest which ousted the long ruling dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Their reason for seeking for a partner who will stand as the beneficiary is as a result of their position in the present transition government in Libya. The funds in question is the sum of US$750 Million which they are ready to share with you in the ratio of 30% for you which I will take 10% from your share of the money while they will take 70% for themselves. If this business is positive to you, I will like you
to kindly send me your full name, your telephone and mobile number and also your full address.
Please be aware that you will be required to come down to Accra-Ghana for a round table discussion and also to enable you enter into
agreement with the Libyan business men. I am looking forward to hearing from you so as to enable us make a positive move for your coming.
Regards
Mr. John Walker
Email: jwconsultant@statoilpro.com
Accra Ghana
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Anti-fraud resources:
