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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:
- "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.
- patriciawagnner@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Patricia Wagner" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <patriciawagnner@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 3 May 2011 10:33:23 +0200
Subject: Blessed Is The Hand That Giveth
ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am married to Dr Shawn Wagner 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 Europe
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 fund 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 Europe I will also issue you
a letter of authority that will prove you as the original- beneficiary of this
Fund.. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my
shepherd. 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 soon.
I have set aside 20% for you and for your time and 10% for any expenses if there
is any.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ
Mrs. Patricia Wagner
Note: reply Email: patriciawagnner@aol.com
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