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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: viginie nyami <viginie_nyami@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: viginie_nyami@hotmail.fr
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2011 00:32:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dearest in the Lord,
Dearest in the Lord,
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF
THE GOD.
I am Sister Viginie Nyami from Kuwait.I am 48 year's old and
married to late Dr.Toure Nyami who worked with Kuwait embassy in cote d'ivoire for nine years before
he died in the year 2008.We were married for eighteen years without a child. He
died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days..
Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I
decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the
Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (14.2
million U.S. Dollars)with one of the Security Company here in Cote D
Ivoire.Presently, this money is still with the Security Company. Recently, my
Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer
problem.Though what disturbs me most is my stroke Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to church or better still a christian individual
that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in.
I
want a church that will use this to fund churches, orphanages and widows
propagating the word of God and
to ensure that the house of God
is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that
giveth. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my
husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I don't want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. Hence the reason
for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am
going. I know that I am going to be in the bossom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14
says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
I
don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of the presence of
my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this
development. With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I
shall give you the contact of the Security Company in Cote'd Ivoire.I will also
issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original-
beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to always pray for me
because the lord is my shephard. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy
Christian.
Who ever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in
spirit and truth.Please always be prayerful all through your life. any delay in
your reply will give me room in searching for a church or christian individual
for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I
stated herein.
Hoping to hearing from you
Remain blessed in the name of the
Lord.
Yours in Christ.
Sister Viginie Nyami
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