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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "processing expenses" (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. )
- "million 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: "WACOPPMA OIL & PETROLEUM" <doctorwills4652@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wacoppma@consultant.com
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2023 09:12:49 +0100
Subject: I AM GRATEFUL.
--
Dear Friend,
I am the Chairman of this review commission and we are in charge of
executing developmental projects under the (UNDP/EU/EOTF) across West
Africa Nations. We have contracts originally awarded to non- indigenous
companies who has failed to execute the project accordingly and was
therefore terminated. We have also some companies that have finished their
jobs and left. It is in our routine system to terminate and recruit
companies to execute contracts.
I have the co-operation and mandate of the Financial Director and the
Secretary of this commission to invite you for a deal. It is our consensus
agreement to seek the assistance of a willing foreign proficient person to
handle this deal effectively. The original contractors have been signed
off and we shall soon begin a new face projects.
We intend to push out this accumulated fund made through over-in inflation
of contract values and abandoned jobs as this organization wish to commence
a new season projects soon.
If you are interested to collaborate with us, because you being a unknown
could be in the better position to effect this claim. The total amount is
valued at about $67.5million dollars to be shared between 3 of us here and
you being our executing partner. We agreed to give you 30% of the total
amount, 3 of us will share the 65% while 5% will be reserved to defray all
processing expenses thereafter.
Kindly notify us if you can handle this deal so that we can advice you on
what to do. Be informed that we have every substantial document to prove
the fund as unpaid contract debts. These documents shall be provided as
when needed. You have no risk to fear as we the involving officers are in
the responsible positions to approve and effect all contract payments.
We solicit for your unreserved confidentiality and proficient co-operation
in this project. Please reply me immediately for more details on how to
proceed.
Yours Faithfully.
Mr. Usmaine Harouna
Chairman UNDP/EU/OIL TRUST FUND MANAGEMENT COMMISSION.
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