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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:
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: melissa dogwo <melissadogwo@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: dogwomelissa1@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:11:42 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My Bear Beloved One In Christ
My Bear Beloved One In Christ
I am Mrs. Melissa dogwo. I am married to Late Adams dogwo of blessed memory who worked with Japan embassy in Abidjan Ivory Coast for nine years before he died. 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 very born again Christians.
His sudden death rise my blood pressure which now lead to my stroke despite my formal cancer fibroid and tumour which I use to suffer when he was alive .
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of$3.Million (Three million U.S. Dollars) with one of the financial storage institution here. Presently, this money is still with the financial institution
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to those problems. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here
(1).I want you to use this money in all sincerer to fund churches, orphanages, widows and also propagating the word of God and to ensure that the society upholds the views and beliefs of the holy Bible.
The holy Bible emphasized so much on God goodness and this has encouraged me to take this bold step. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money .I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an unholy manner. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I know that faith without good work is in vain.
I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and the presence of my husband 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 let you know how to get this fund for this mission.
Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing For a Christian organisation or a devoted Christian for this same purpose.
Until I hear from you, my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.
May the almighty God continue to guide and protect you.
Regards, your sister
Mrs.melissa
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