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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- monwilli80@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "goodnews37@cantv.net" <goodnews37@cantv.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:26:17 -0430
Subject: FROM MRS MONICA WILLIAMS
My Dearest one,
I am Mrs Monica Williams from Rep. Benin. I was
married to Manfred the CEO Veekrol Link Benin Sarl, a seasoned
contractor In West African Region. Before he died in the year 2002. We
were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a Brief
illness. After his Death I decided not tore-marry or get a child outside
my matrimonial home. When my late husband was alive, he deposited the
sum of $4.6 Million USD in an international Bank.
My Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Three months
Due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate
these funds to better the lives of the less privileged. I need honest
and trust worthy individual that will utilize this Money in accordance
With my instructions want the funds to be used in funding religious
Organizations, Orphanages and less privileged propagating the word of
God.
I took this decision because I don't have any child That will
inherit this money and my husband relatives are very unkind to Me and I
don't Want my husbands hard-earned money to be misused. 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. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the Lord will fight my
course and I shall hold my peace.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the Contact of my
Barrister who will assist you legally. For legitimacy, I will also Issue
you the Deposit Certificate that will empower you as the
original-Beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me, any
delay in your Reply will give me room in sourcing for another
individual for this same purpose.
Note: I will like you to get back to me on this E-mail address
monwilli80@gmail.com.
Thanks
Yours
sincerely
MRS MONICA
WILLIAMS
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