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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:
- "trunk box" (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: Rebecca Berry <rebeccaberry63@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: berry.rebecca34@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:10:51 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Donation Call From Almighty Lord
Donation Call From Almighty Lord
Answer this call of life. Dearest In Almighty Lord, I am Sister Rebecca Barry, from France: FR. I am married to Late Mr John Barry of blessed memory who was a well known cocoa dealer in Ivory Coast-Abidjan for through out his life before he died in the year, 2010. We were married for eleven years without a child.He died after a brief illness when Ivory Coast-Abidjan are having crisis started 28 November 2010. Before his sudden death we were both born again Christian. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 2.5.Million (USD) in trunk box with Security Finance Company in UK.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Nine months due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to help church that will utilize this money to orphanages, widows the way I am going to instruct herein. Bible said "Blessed is the hand that given". I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money. 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 health. Whoever that Wants to serve the Almighty Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth.
Contact me if you are a believer I only want you tell me about Yourself. Immediately I receive it, I shall give you the contact of the Security Finance Company in UK where this funds was deposited for you to claim it as donation. May Almighty Lord bless you as you extend your helping hand to the needy.If you can answer this call only clicking reply in your email. Urgently tell me about yourself? Asalamalakum/ Peace of Almighty God be upon you: Always pray for me.
Almighty Lord Bless.
Sister Rebecca Barry.
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