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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:
- "cotonou" (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.
- 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.
- raphenal1@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Raphenal Larry" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <raphenalarry01@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:50:06 +0100
Subject: Donation
Dear in Christ.
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD BECAUSE IT IS A VOW I
MADE BEFORE GOD.
I am Mrs Raphenal Larry from Bahrain. I am married to Dr. Robert Larry
who worked with Bahrain embassy in Cote D 'ivoire for nine years before he
died last year.
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 re-marry 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 U.S. Dollars
)with one BANK here in Benin Republic,Cotonou Presently, this money is
still in the BANK.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three
months due to cancer problem.Though what disturbs me most is my stroke
Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to church or
better still a christian individual that will utilize this fund the way
I
am going to instruct here in.
I want a church that will use this to fund churches, orphanages and
widows propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of God
is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand
that giveth. 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 hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers.
I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly
manner. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid
of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in
the bossom 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 and because of 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 will give you the contact of the BANK
in Benin Republic where the fund is deposited. I will also issue you a
letter of authority that will empower you as the original- 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 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. any delay in
your reply will give me room in searching for another church or
christian
individual for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
contact me on this my private email raphenal1@rocketmail.com
Hoping to hearing from you.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ.
Sister Raphenal Larry
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