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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.
- 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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- mrs.stellauattah@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Stella Uttah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.stellauattah@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 06:43:41 +0530
Subject: From Madam Stella Uttah
From Madam Stella Uttah
I am Mrs Stella Uttah from Scotland United Kingdom. I am married to Mr.Lobi William Uttah who worked with our Embassy in here in Scotland for nine years before he died in the year 2002. 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 Christian. Since his death I decided not to remarry as we were married for eleven years without a child, When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $4.5 Million (four million five hundred thousand Us dollars) with a Bank here in London.Presently this money is still in the custody of the Bank in London. i have been in the hospital for one year and six mouths because of breast cancer Recently my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months due to breast cancer and hypertensive problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church organization or good person that will utilize this money the !
way that will give glory to God.I
I wanted to use this money for my life but i cannot question God because of my sickness 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' .l know With God all things are possible.As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank in London. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you the present beneficiary of this money. I also want you, church or the organization to always pray for me because the lord is my only shephard.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.Email for more Details(mrs.stellauattah@hotmail.co.uk)
Thank you for your understanding
Mrs. Stella Uttah
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