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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:
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Adams Anita <adamsanita029@msn.com>
Reply-To: <adamsanitaa19@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 08:58:20 +0000
Subject: FROM: ANITA ADAMS JOHNSON
FROM: ANITA ADAMS JOHNSON
CHRIST BETHEL HOSPITAL
11 Boulevard de la Marina 08
BP 0929 COTONOU
Republic de Benin.
Dearest Beloved,
I am SISTER ANITA ADAMS JOHNSON from Ivory Coast. I was married to Late Chief Adams Johnson who was a contractor with the government of Republic of benin before he died after few days in the hospital owing to high blood presure.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $18.700 Million with a Bank in Benin, cotonou for investment outside west Africa in fixed account stating the the fund will be transfered into an account of his foriegn partner.
Presently this money is still in the custody of the Bank here in Benin . And I want communicate to the bank that you are my late husband foriegn business partner based on your sincere accptance to assist.My Doctor told me that it is very likely i will die within the next 3 months due to A Blood cancer {LUCAMIA}.
Hence my late husband brother who would have inherited the fund is responsible for his death and i vowed not to associate with him for my dear life.
I have decided to donate the money for charity to A GOD FEARING PERSON like you since i do not have a child to inherit it and it better i do not die leaving the money here without it reaching the poor and the less privilaged ones in the society.OR I ALLOW THE FUND TO BE IN THE BANK.
As soon as the fund is transfered into your designated bank account,you will take 30 percent of the total amount and use the balance of the fund as stated below
: a).BUILDING A HOUSE FOR LORD.
b).DONATION TO MOTHELESS BABY HOMES
c).TRAINING CENTER FOR THE DEAF AND DUMP.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall tell my bank to transfer the money to you so that if i die now i know where i am going. And i have nothing to regret since i have fulfiled my heart desire. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME for more information and details you might need from me.
God bless you.
YOURS SINCERELY,
SISTER ANITA ADAMS JOHNSON.
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