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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:
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Diana Williams <jntc_cl@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:49:59 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Reply
Re: Reply
I am Mrs Diana Williams. I am married to Late Jerry Williams of blessed memory who is a cocoa exporter before his death. We were married for twelve years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Since his death I have been battling with Cancer and fibroid problems. When my late Husband was alive he deposited the sum of $8.5million (Eight Million Five hundred thousand U.S Dollars) in a Bank here in Ivory Coast. Recently, my doctor told me that I have only six months to live due to cancer problem.Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to either an organization or an individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instructs herein.
I want this organization or individual to use this money in all sincerity to fund charities organization, orphanages, widows, and also to help those that lost their relatives through flood or war in their countries.The Holy bible emphasizes so much on God's benevolence and this has encourage me to take the bold step.I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money.
I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an Unholy manner.Hence the reasons for this bold decision. I know that after death I will be with God the most beneficent and the most merciful. I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and 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 information of the Bank Where the Fund was deposited. I will also issue a letter of authority to them Authorizing the Bank that the said fund Have being willed to you and a copy of such authorization will be forwarded to you. I want you to always pray for me.
My happiness is that I lived a true devoted Christian worthy of emulation. Whoever that Wants to serve God must serve him in truth and in fairness. Please always be prayerful all through your life.Until I hear from you, my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders. May the Almighty God continue to guide and protect you.
Please reply me urgently
Regards,
Mrs Diana
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