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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: peace5@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 15:49:02 -0300
Subject: Donation,
Donation,
Greetings, Iam Mrs.Haoua Mahamat from Dominican Republic. I am married to Mr.Tahir Mahamat who worked with Dominican Republic embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died.We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$5million dollars in a bank.Presently, this money is still in bank.Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the period of six 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 because i cannot do it alone by myself due to my current condition.
I want you to use this fund for orphanages, school and widows. Because I understand that "Blessed is the hand that giveth".I took this decision because I don't ha
ve any child that will inherit this money and I don't want my husband's efforts to be used ungodly way. 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 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.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall issue you an authority letter that will prove you as present beneficiary of this fund. any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein in your reply. Hoping to receive your reply .
Thanks.
Mrs.Haoua Mahamat.
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