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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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Gabriel Mcmann" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gabmcmann@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2016 00:31:52 +0200
Subject: Business invitation
I have a business transaction which I wish to bring for discusion. This transaction involves meeting because I believe in the old way of doing business with hand shakes not internet impostors. You should have a valid int'l passport to be able to travel to meet with security company and a bank account to receive funds.
Meanwhile, Let me introduce myself...My Name is Barr. Gabriel Mcmann a lawyer and a legal practitioner. I was once a lawyer to late Maummar Gaddafi of Libya, whom I had assisted to deposit a consignment worth millions of dollars with a security company before his problems escalated which eventually led to his death. I am contacting you now that everything is calm and no one have an idea of this consignment except myself. I have the documents and will which will back our claim as the intended receiver of consignment before his untimely death. Let us see how best we can assist each other to retrieve this consignment so we can share it and send part of the funds to charity instead of wasting with the security company.
Find attached proof of deposit and other legal documeents to back you up.
I believe this will interest you, that's why I contact you and if it interests you, kindly revert back at your earliest possible.
Lets get it done urgently and finalized for our mutual benefits. In your reply tell me more about yourself and include your telephone number for easy communication.
Sincerely yours,
Barr. Gabriel Mcmann
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