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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Lovelin Vincent" <lovelin_vincent6@att.net>
Reply-To: <mrs_lovelin2008@yahoo.cn>
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 03:52:12 -0000
Subject: Greetings in the name of God
Greetings in the name of God
Dear Beloved Friend,
I am Mrs Lovelin Vincent,the wife of Late Chief Vincent Williams who was a
government contractor in our country Cote D'Ivoire, I have sum amount
which i inherited from my late husband who was killed by the rebel force
of pro Allasan Ouattara the new president.I want to make a donation of
this fund to help Orphans/Widows and Charitable homes in your Country and
I assumed that you will be able to receive this Fund and use it according
to my wishes and my heart desire to the Orphans/Widows and Charitable
homes in your Country.
The Bible made us to understand that"Blessed is the hand that giveth". l
took this decision because i have no child for my late husband before he
was killed and non of his relatives are Christians not even good at all. I
don't want them to know about this development and l know that With God
all things are possible this is why I am taking this decision to donate
this money to a foreigner who will use it to help the charity,widow's and
church in his or her area.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.
Hoping to receive your response immediately.
As soon as I hear from you i shall guided you with more information on how
you will receive the fund immediately.
Remain Blessed in the Jesus name Amen.
Yours Sister In Christ,
Mrs lovelin Vincent.
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