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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:
 -  "00,000.00" (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: Mrs Marinarin Vivian Akoma <edithi0iochou@yahoo.co.jp> 
Reply-To: Mrs Marinarin Vivian Akoma <marivivinaakoma@gmail.com> 
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2014 17:40:22 +0900 (JST) 
Subject: Greetings to you in the most wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  
 
 
Greetings to you in the 
most wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  
  
I am Mrs Marinarin Vivian 
Akoma,I am married to Dr Johnston Akoma,I and my late husband was into Estate 
management and also a government building contractor before my husband earlier 
last year June 25 2013 died on Car Accident. Iâm 61 years old and I was 
diagnosed with cancer for four years ago and my doctor told me my life is in 
Danger. I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited 
from my late husband Dr Johnston Akoma to you for good work of God.  
  
I decided to WILL / donate 
the sum of five million five hundred thousand U.S.dollars (U.S. $5.500,000.00 ) 
to the good work of the lord, and also to help the motherless and less 
privileged. I took this decision because I Calvary have any child that will 
inherit this money and my husband relatives are not and I do not want my 
husband hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I do not want a 
situation where this money will be used in a ungodly way. Hence the reason for 
taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I'm 
going. I know 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. Please assure me 
that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.waiting to hear your favorable 
reply for more details. 
  
 God bless you.  
  
Mrs Marinarin Vivian Akoma 
 
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