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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:
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: "Mr.Cyril Elk Nelson" <mr.cyril.nelsonj@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mr.nel_cyril@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2016 23:07:07 +0100
Subject: GREETING!!! CAN YOU BE TRUSTED
*Greeting Dear*
* I am Mr.Nel Elk Cyril the Personal Assistance to Syria Deputy oil
minister to President Bashar al-Assad. I served the oil minister diligently
.I am presently in Refugee Camp here in Syria, and i don't know when i will
be out from here as i have duly resigned my position and held by the
government for not supporting bad activities and joined my country's
citizens who government refused to defend by killing and destroying all
their investment. I can't be against the people i served. The crisis in our
country Syria is getting worst every day and I have taken this decision to
die than to be killing and destroying my people. I am sick and i can't do
anything due to held by government authorities.You may have a little look
over what is happening in our country Syria presently by opening the
link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9103136/Syria-open-warfare-on-streets-of-Homs.html
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9103136/Syria-open-warfare-on-streets-of-Homs.html>
I
am seeking your assistance to help and secure the sum of
US$12,500,000.00(Twelve Million Five hundred thousand United States
Dollars) meanwhile deposited in a bank inwhich the (BANK NAME WITHHELD) to
avoid bad people out there,i can be assured it will be safe in your care
until i found my way out from here.I don't know if i will be alive or not.
I have secured this money in a safer place presently. I will offer you 40%
from the total amount for your assistance, Be rest assured that this
business is 100% safe on your part provided you treat it with utmost
secrecy and confidentiality, please. The era of our wicked President Bashar
al-Assad Government here in Syria has gradually and closely coming to an
end with the involvement of United Nation and the Arab league because of
his killing and evil activities.You will never regret this help. Kindly
send me an e-mail signifying your interest in this transaction with your
details. Thanks for your understanding and awaiting for your reply Yours
FaithfullyMr.Nel Elk Cyril*
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