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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)
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "bluejobs@arsystel.com" <bluejobs@arsystel.com>
Reply-To: mariede1@sify.com
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 02:54:36 +0100 (CET)
Subject: DE
ATTEN: Dear Friend
Greetings From Mrs. Marie De
I am the above named person from benin. I am married to Mr James De. who
was a cocoa merchant here in benin before he died in the year 2004.We
were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief
illness that lasted for only four days.Since the death of my husband I
decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home. When
my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (22.3million Dollars) in
a bank In Here In Benin.Presently, this money is still in the BANK.
They just wrote me as the beneficiary to come forward for the transfer or
rather issue a letter of authorisation to somebody to receive it on my
behalf if I can not come over considering my state of health.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 fund 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 God Fearing 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 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 will give you the
contact of the BANK in BENIN COTTONOU where the fund is deposited. 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. whoever that wants to serve the Lord must
serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be prayerful all through your
life.If you are wiling to assist me forward the following:
1. Your Full Contact address
2. Telephone Fax Number.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping
to hear from you soon.
Yours in Christ
Mrs. Marie De
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