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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:
- "abidjan" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: gracejohson1@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:09:36 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dearest In The Lord
Dearest In The Lord
I am Mrs
Grace Johnson from Iran I married to late Dr Robert Johnson who worked
with Iran embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the
year 2008.We were married for eleven years with out 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 or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is
against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of three
Million five houndred thausand Dollars in one of the finance company
here in Abidjan.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not
last for the next Eight months due to cancer problem. Having known my
condition I decided to donate this fund to a church that will utilize
this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a church or
Individual that will use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating
the word of God and to endeavor 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 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. 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.
With
God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall
give you the contact of the security company. I will also issue you an
authorisation letter that will prove you the present 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 continue your prayers upon me. any
delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another church for
this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I
Stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Grace Johnson
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