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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:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Edith Banny <ed_banny@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: e.banny@btinternet.com
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:41:03 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Dear Beloved In Christ
Dear Beloved In Christ
 I am Mrs
Edith Banny from Kuwait. I am married to Mr. Kestor  Banny who worked
with Kuwait embassy 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 his death
we were both born again Christians. Since his death I decided not to
remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is
against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of
$1.2million dollars ( One million two hundred thousand dollars) with a
bank in Abidjan. Presently, this money is still with the bank.
Â
Recently,
my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months due
to cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to an
individual or organisation that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct herein. I want that this fund for orphanages,
widows,disabled, propagating the word of God. The Bible made us to
understand that “Blessed is the hand that givethâ€. I took this decision
because 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 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 bosomof the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14
says that “the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peaceâ€.
Â
 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 bank in Abidjan Ivory Coast. I will also issue an authority
letter to the bank that will prove you the present 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 worthy
Christian. Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in
spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
Â
Any
delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for
this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I
Stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply.
Â
Remain blessed in the Lord.Â
Edith Banny.
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