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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Madam Belinda Rahim." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <madambelinda@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2010 06:17:43 -0700
Subject: Read Me
Dear Friend .
I am Madam Belinda Rahim. from Cote d'Ivoire West Africa. I was married to Mr Rahim Chile Jude.from Kuwait who was the chief consular in their embassy in Cote D'Ivoire for nine years before he died in the year 2004. We were married for eleven years without a child.
Before his death we were both born again Christian. Since his death I decided not to remarry or to get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $8.5 Million with a Security company in one of the Asia country. Presently this money is still in the custody of the Security Company.
Recently, 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 this fund to good person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.
I want a church,organization or good person that will use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.The Bible made us to understand that"Blessed is the hand that giveth". l took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and I don't want my husband's efforts to be used byunbelievers. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way.
This is why I am taking this decision. 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 case and I shall hold my peace".
I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband's 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 shall give you the contact of the security company.
I will also issue you an authority letter that will prove you the present beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church or the organization to always pray for me because the lord is my Sheppard.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.Contact me on the this email address and any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another good person for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.Hoping to receive your response immediately.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
l remain yours sister in Christ.
Madam Belinda Rahim.
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