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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- josephinedonald86@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: josephine donald <josephine.donald3@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: josephinedonald86@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 11:51:07 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dearest In Christ. Please It's Very Urgent.
I am Mrs. Josephine Donald from kuwait. I am married to Dr. Godwin Donald who worked with Kuwait embassy in cote d'ivoire for nine years 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. 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 (8.5Million U.S. Dollars) in cote d'ivoire.Presently, this money is still here in ivory coast. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would notlast 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 fund to
churches,orphanages and widows propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. husband deposited this fund in ivory coast. I will also issue you a As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact were my Late letter of authority that will empower you as the original- beneficiary of this fund.Please always be prayerful all through your life.and 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. Due to the present condition of my health, I was warned by my doctor to avoid receiving or making any call. you can also reach me with this private email address:josephinedonald86@yahoo.com
This is why I am taking this decision to hand you over this money to your hand. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my up coming Cancer Surgery. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I have stated herein. Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Thanks and May God Bless you.
Yours Sister in Christ Holy Love.
Mrs. Josephine Donald.
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