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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "estellemani9@zipmail.com.br" <estellemani9@zipmail.com.br>
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2013 06:50:00 -0300
Subject: Hello,
Hello,
I am Mrs. Estelle Mani from Mexico. I was married to Late Dr. Joseph Mani who was a contractor with the Government of Ivory Coast before he died after few days in the hospital. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $4.500.000 Million Dollars with a Bank in Cote D’lvoire. Presently this money is still in the custody of the Bank here in Cote DIvoire. My Doctor told me that it is very likely I will die within the next 2 months due to A Blood cancer {LUCAMIA}.
I have decided to donate the money for charity to you since I do not have a child to inherit it and it’s better I do not die leaving the money here without it reaching to the poor and the less privileged ones in the society. The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that grivet. 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 bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
my husband’s relatives is 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 here. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the Lord is my shepherd.
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 get back to me if you can help me to carry out my dream because right now i am in the sick bed, hope to hear from you.
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Anti-fraud resources:
