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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:
- 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.
- mrs_vdenis@hotmail.fr (Hotmail, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs veronica Denis <mrs_vdenis10@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 07:03:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Mrs.Veronica
Â
Dear Belove,
I am Mrs.Veronica Denis a nationality of Guinea. I married to late His Excellency Mr. Ernest Denis, Guinea Ambassador in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2008. We were married for eleven years without a child. he died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before he death we were both born again Christians. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $7.5Million (Seven Million five hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) with a BANK here in COTE D'IVOIRE (IVORY COAST) Presently, this money is still with the bank.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next one year 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, Research centers and widowspropagating 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 dont have any child that will inherit this money and my husband’s relatives are not Christians and I dont want my family hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I dont 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 dont need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and also the presence of my family relatives around me always. I dont 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 pacific Finance/bank. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new 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. Any delay in your reply will give me room insourcing for a church or christian individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here. Hope to hear from you with this email address: mrs_vdenis@hotmail.fr
Remain blessed in the name of the lord
Your's in christ
Mrs Veronica Denis
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