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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:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: mary jonas <mary_jonas23@yahoo.com.sg>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2015 02:32:48 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Greetings from Mrs. Mary Jonas,
Greetings from Mrs. Mary Jonas,
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I know that this mail maybe of a surprise to you and i will be highly appreciated to have your positive response.
With Due Respect And Humanity, I was compelled to write to you under a humanitarian ground.
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My name is Mrs. Mary Jonas from Cambodia. I married to Mr. Jonas Williams who worked with Cambodia Embassy for nine years before he died in the year 2O12...We were married for 36 years without a child. My late Husband died after a Cardiac Arteries Operation. Recently I'm sick And My Doctor told me that I will not last for the next six months due to my cancer problem (cancer of the lever and stroke).
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Before my husband died he deposited the sum of $1.5Million (one. Five Million U.S. Dollars) in a Security bank here in Cambodia and he advise me that he used my name as the next of kin. Presently this money is still in the Vault of the Security bank having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to any God fearing person that will utilize this fund the way I am going to instruct herein.
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I want somebody that will use this fund according to the desire of my late. Husband to help privileged peoples, orphanages, widows and propagating the word of God. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this fund. This is why I am taking this decision to donate this Fund for the helping of the neediest in the society.
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I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my upcoming Cancer Surgery Operation. Write back as soon as possible any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for this same purpose, hoping to read from you soon.
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God bless you as you listing to the voice of reasoning. I stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply
Remain blessed.
Mrs. Mary Jonas.
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Anti-fraud resources:
