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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Mashudu Mulalo Mabili" <mrs.mashudumabili@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mabilimrs.mashudu@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 03:44:31 +0200
Subject: Can I Trust You?
My Dearest,
My name is Mrs. Mashudu Mulalo Mabili from south Africa. I worked with
South Africa Aviation Authority. Married to late Mr. Mabili for twenty
years with a child. He died after an illness that lasted for four weeks.
Please I know this may come to you by surprise because you did not
know me. I need your assistance that is why I write you through this
divine direction. It is my desire to go into this business
relationship with you.
Before my husband died, we were both born again Christians. When my
late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USD15.5M (Fifteen
Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) with a Bank. The fund
emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which he executed
with the South Africa Aviation Authority. Though I assisted him in
getting this contract but I never knew that it was over-invoiced by
him. I am afraid that the government of South Africa might start to
investigate the contracts awarded from South Africa Aviation Authority.
Recently my doctor told me that I would not last for the next three
months due to my cancer problem, though what disturbs me most is my
stroke. Having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund
to an individual who will utilize this money the way I am going to
instruct here in. I want a person that will use this fund for
orphanage homes, motherless homes, to support religious activities
thereby propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of
God is maintained.
Blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision though I have a
child who would have inherited this money but my son can not carry out
this work the way I want because I and my late husband agreed to use
some of the money to help people and leave some for our son to have a
better live when he grow to a full man. Our son is just 14 years old
and having lived here in Africa all his life, he has low maturity. I
am not afraid of death hence 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.
I will like you to understand that my contact to you is a divine
direction. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the
contact of the bank. I will also issue you a letter of authority that
will empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund. My happiness is
that I have lived a good life. Any delay in your reply will give me
room in sourcing for another individual for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here and
Please I will like you to contact me immediately you receive this
email so that I will instruct the bank to transfer this fund into your
account.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord. God?s grace is sufficient for me.
Your sister in the Lord
Mrs. Mashudu Mulalo Mabili.
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