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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: rebecca_william@pop.com.br
Date: Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:39:02 -0300
Subject: Donation From Mrs Rebecca Williams
=20
Donation From Mrs Rebecca Williams.
BP [38 Rue Des Martyrs Cocody=20
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire .=20
DEAREST ONE OF GOD
I am the above named person from Kuwait . I am married to MR. David William=
s.=A0 who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before h=
e died in the year 2004. 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 Christian. Since his death I decid=
ed not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bibl=
e is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $2. 5 =
Million (Two Million and Five Hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) in the bank he=
re in Abidjan in a suspense account.
Presently, the fund is still in the bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that =
i have seriously sickness which is cancer problem. The one that disturbs me=
most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate =
this fund to a church or individual that will utilize this money the way I =
am going to instruct herein. I want a church that will use this fund for or=
phanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavour that the hous=
e of God is maintained.=20
The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I too=
k 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 mone=
y 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 goin=
g to be in the bosom of the Lord.=20
Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my p=
eace.=20
I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my healt=
h hence the presence of my husband's relatives is 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 bank h=
ere in Abidjan. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the=
Lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Chris=
tian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Tru=
th. Please always be prayerful all through your life.=20
Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another church or ind=
ividual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act according=
ly as I Stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply.
Send me the following informations as per below.
Your full names.....
Address ....
Age ......
Occupation .....
photo............
Remain blessed in the Lord.=20
Yours in Christ,=20
MRS.Rebecca Williams.=20
=A0=A0
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