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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "ester_emile@msn.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: ester emile <ester_98@msn.com>
Reply-To: <ester_emile@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 19:56:19 +0000
Subject: From Sister Ester Emile.
From Sister Ester
Emile.
My greetings to you
in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ I am Sister Ester Emile Doudou from Ivory Coast I am married
to Mr.Emile Doudou whom untill his death served as a Christian in Cote
D'Ivoire before he died in the year 2002. We were married for eleven
years without a child my husband was assasinated. Before his death we were both
born again Christian 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 ($2.5 Million USdollars)Two million five
hundred thousand United State of America dollars in a Security company here in
Abidjan capital
of Cote D'Ivoire.
Presently my Doctor
confirmed to me that I have serious sickness which is cancer problem The one
that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness Haven 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 here in. I want a church that will use this fund for
orphanages, helping the widows and the poor ones, propagating the word
of God and to endeavor 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' have any child that will inherit this money and my husband
relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husband efforts to be used by
unbelievers. I don't want a situation wheret his money 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 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. With
God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I will give you the
details on your you will received the money.
I want you and your
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 another church or
individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly
as I Stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply.
Due to present
condition of my health I will advice you to respond as soon as possible so
that I will forward to you the contact information of my lawyer who will help
you to received the fund from the Security company. please reply to my privet
mail: ester_emile@msn.com
Yours in Christ,
Sister Ester Emile
Doudou.
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