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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.
Fraud email example:
From: "mrstheresa31@zipmail.com.br" <mrstheresa31@zipmail.com.br>
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:15:08 -0300
Subject: From Mrs Theresa Joshua.
From Mrs Theresa Joshua.
Dearest one in the Lord,
Greetings in the Name of God almighty, I am Mrs Theresa Joshua married to Mr. Hasim Joshua who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for many years. I am suffering from Throat Cancer and I am suffering very bitterly as I write you this message with help of a Sister in Christ Mrs Joy Kennedy.
My doctor just informed me that my days are counted considering my health status. My matrimonial situation is that I lost my husband and two kids in Motor accident on 25 December 2007. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of Two million six hundred thousand pounds in Bank of Africa, Cote d ‘Ivoire (£2.600.000.00). I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers.
I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I
wanted a gracious way and a way to help the less-privileged; I count on your sincere willingness to employ this fund in a Godly manner.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank in Ivory Coast. I await your soonest response with your full information, example.
Your full name...............
Address......................
Age..........................
I will use the above information to obtain an authorization letter that will legally and officially approve you as the new beneficiary of this fund from the Federal Ministry of Justice Cote D’Ivoire . I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.
Remain blessed in the Lord
Take care, Yours Sister in Christ
Mrs Theresa Joshua.
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Anti-fraud resources:
