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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:
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- mrssusan2008@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "SUSAN FERNANDO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrssusan20077@aim.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 13:34:58 +0200
Subject: ENDEAVOUR TO USED IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD >>...
ENDEAVOUR TO USED IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD
Mrs Susan fernando.
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am married to Dr SAZON FERNANDO
who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast 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 he deposited the sum of 18Million
Dollars (eighteen Million United State Dollars) with one finance/security
company in Amsterderm-Netherlands. 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 sickness. 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 funds 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 bosom 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 health
and because 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 Finance/Security Company in Amsterderm-Netherlands. I will also issue
you a letter of authority that will prove you as the original- beneficiary
of this Funds. 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. 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 sourcing 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. I have set
aside 20% for you and for your time and 10% for any enpense if there is
any . Remain blessed in the name of the Lord. Yours in Christ
Mrs. susan fernando
Note: reply email to mrssusan2008@aim.com
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