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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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs.Muma Salim. <mrsmumasalim@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mumasalim02@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:53:52 +0800 (CST)
Subject: FOR THE CHILDREN OF ALLAH. !!!
>From Mrs.Muma Salim.
RUE DE LA PAIX
PRES DU CENTRE D'HYGIENE PUBLIQUE
COTONOU BENIN WEST AFRICA.
Dear in Allah.
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF ALLAH BECAUSE IT IS A VOW I
MADE BEFORE HIM. I am Mrs.Muma Salim from Bahrain. I am married to
Mr.Nasser Salim who worked with Bahrain embassy in Benin for nine years
before he died last year. We were married for eleven years without a
child.He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my
matrimonial home which the Qoran is against. When my late husband was alive
he deposited the sum of (1.2Million U.S. Dollars ) with one BANK here in
Benin. Presently, this money is still in the BANK.
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 Having
known my condition I decided to donate this fund to mosque or better still
a sincere individual that will utilize this fund the way I am going to
instruct here in.
I want a person that will use this to fund mosques, orphanages and widows
propagating the word of Almighty Allah and to ensure that the house of
Allah is maintained. I took this decision because I don't have any child
that will inherit this money and my relatives are not trusted fellows and I
don't want my wife'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 with the
Almighty Allah.I don't need any telephone communication in this regard
because of my health and because of the presence of my relatives around me
always. I don't want them to know about this development.
With Allah all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I will
give you the contact of the BANK in Benin where the fund is deposited, and
also I will give to you my attorney contact, I will also issue you a letter
of authority that will empower you as the original- beneficiary of this
fund.
My happiness is that I lived a life of emulation. Whoever that wants to
serve the Almighty 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 searching for another individual for this same purpose..
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
Hoping to hearing from you.
Remain blessed in the name of Allah.
Yours in Allah. Mrs.Muma Salim.
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