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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:
- "transfer cost" (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. )
- "hundred thousand us 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Engr. JM" <joe.ese09@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jnjitap@outlook.fr
Date: Sat, 6 Aug 2016 11:18:39 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend, Respond now...
Dear Sir,
I apologise for intruding in your privacy but it is my urgent need for
a foreign business partner and manager that prompted me to contact
you. I am a civil servant and a top politician here in my country
Burkina faso, i have worked in the Ministry of Mines for over a 10
years. Now due to the political unrest in my country i am seeking to
transfer out my fund and relocate to oversea to invest and settle
down. But i need a trustworthy business partner with whom i can work
together with to secretly move out this fund to his account so when i
arrive after the transfer, we can begin the investment project under
his guide and control.
Bearin mind that sharing ratio is 20% for your assistance and
logistics in receiving the fund amount Five million three hundred
thousand Us dollars and rest shall be used for the investment project
in your country after but by then we shall agree on your percentage
which you shall be entitled annually from profits realised from the
investment. You are to take care of any arisen transfer costs in
regards to the fund transfer but you get reimbursed after you receive
the fund. Send me your direct telephone number and data if you are
interested so i can call you and also arrange the MOU/CONFIDENTIALITY
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT to be signed by both parties before we proceed.
Regards,
JM
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