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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- marysenders7@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Mary Schranner" <pauljess404@gmail.com>
Reply-To: marysenders7@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 15:39:17 +0100
Subject: GREETINGS TO YOU
GREETINGS TO YOU
I am Mrs Mary Schranner, from Connecticut USA. I am Married to Mr
Jovani Schranner who worked as a Foreign Investor in Petroleum 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.
Before his demise we were both a good believer . Since his death I
decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home
which the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited
the sum of 13.5 Million U.S. Dollars.(Thirteen.Five millions USD) with
An official of Fidelity BANK.
Presently, this money is still with the BANK. Recently, my Doctor told
me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer
illness Though what disturbs me most is my stroke, Having known my
condition I decided to donate this fund to a church or mosques better
still a christian or Muslims individual that will utilize this money
the way I am going to instruct here in. I want a church or mosques, a
Christian or a Muslim Ministry that will use this fund for churches
and mosques, orphanages and widows propagating the word of God and to
ensure that the house of God is maintained.
The Bible and Quran 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 believers and
I don’t want my Husband’s hard earned money to be misused by
unbelievers. beside God says“Don’t be on equal yoke with
unbelieversâ€.I don’t want a situation where this money will be used in
an ungodly manner. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision.
I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I
am going to be in the blossom of the Lord.
Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold
my peace. Please I don’t need any telephone communication in this
regard because of my health and for the presence
of my Husband’s relatives around me always.
I don’t want them to know about this development. But I know With God
all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give
you the contact of the official of Fidelity BANK here. I will also
issue you a letter of authority and the DEPOSITED CERTIFICATE that
will empower you as the original- beneficiary of this fund. I want you
to always pray for me because the lord is my Shepherd. My happiness is
that I lived a life of a worthy way.Whoever that wants to serve the
Lord must serve him in spirit and truth.Please always be prayerful all
through your life. any delay in your reply will give me room in
searching for a church or mosques individual for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated
herein.Hoping to hear from you so that i can instruct you on what
exactly to do.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord and write back direct to my
email address {marysenders7@gmail.com}
Yours Sincerely.
Mrs. Mary Schranner
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