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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: KARTHRINE AMADO <karthrine@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: kathrineamado35@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 10:22:35 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Donation from sister Kathrine Amado
Dearest in the Lord,
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am Sister Kathrine Amado. from Kuwait. I am married to Dr. Alison Amado. who
worked with Kuwait embassy in cote d'ivoire for nine years before he died in
the year 2005.We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a
brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Before his death we were both born again Christians. 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 hedeposited the sum of
(4.5 millionU.S. Dollars)with one of the Security Company here in Cote D
Ivorie.Presently, this money is still with the security company. Recently, my
Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer
problem.Though what disturbs me most is my stroke Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to church or better still a christian individual
that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in.
I want a church that will use this to fund churches, orphanages and widows
propagating the word of God and to ensure that 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 hard
earned money to be misused by unbelievers. 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 bossom 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
healthbecause of 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 in ivory coast.I will also issue you a letter of authority
that will empower you as the original- 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.
Who ever 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 christian individual for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
Hoping to hearing from you.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ.
Sister Kathrine Amado
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