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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "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)
- "30% for you " (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "FROM: MRS SHANNON GORDON" <shannon_gordon@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: <gordonshannon22@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:20:59 +0200
Subject: FROM: MRS SHANNON GORDON
FROM: MRS SHANNON GORDON
I am the above named person from Cyprus. I am married to MR BRUCE GORDON who
Worked with America Embassy for seven years before he died .We were married for
years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only two
weeks. 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
24Million Dollars (twenty four Million United State Dollars) on the safe deposit
box with the bank. Europe.
Presently, this money is still deposited on the safe deposit box with the bank
vault house .Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next four
months due to cancer Problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke
sickness. 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 these funds 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 bosom of the Lord. The lord he will
fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I don't need any telephone
ommunication in this regard because of my health and 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 VAULT HOUSE in Europe I will also issue you a letter of
authority that will prove you as the original- beneficiary of this Fund. I want
you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd. My
happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever 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 sourcing 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.
I have set aside 30% for you and for your time and 10% for any expenses if
there is any then remaining balance for the word of God.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
MRS SHANNON GORDON
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