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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:
- "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: "Mrs.Nancy David" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsnancydavi@webmail.md>
Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 05:55:48 +0400
Subject: Re: Donation From Mrs.Nancy David
My greetings to you in the name of God.I am Mrs.NANCY DAVIDfrom South Africa. I am married to Archdeacon.Most Rev.Johnson David whom untill his death servedas an archdeacon in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the yearoctober 2005. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after abrief illness that lasted for only four days.Before his death we were both bornagain Christian. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a childoutside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband wasalive he deposited the sum of $4.350.Million under suspense account in one ofthe famouse banks here in Abidjan capital of Cote d'Ivoire for safekeeping.
Presently,my Doctor confirmed to me that I have serious sickness whichis 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 orindividual 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,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 thatgiveth". I took this decision because I don’t have any child that willinherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don’twant my husband’s efforts to be used by unbelievers. I don’t want a situation where this 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". I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence 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 will give you the contact of the bank here in Abidjan. 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 another church or christian individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.
Hoping to receive your reply.
I will not have any communication on phone due to my health condition and the presence of my Husband relatives
Yours in Christ,
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Mrs.Nancy Johnson David
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