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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 "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "STELLA GALLAS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stella.gallas19@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:22:07 -0400
Subject: Dearest one in the Lord.
Dearest one in the Lord.
It is my pleasure to write to you after considering your profile My name is STELLA GALLAS a nationality of Kuwait. I am married to MR.MARTINS GALLAS who worked with Kuwait company in Nigeria for nine
years before he died in the year 2006. 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.
When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of $8.3Million(Eight Million three hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) with a BANK here in Nigeria Presently, this money is still with the BANK
here. 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
church or better still a Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a church that will use this fund to;churches,orphanages, Research centers and widows
propagating to 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 bold decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband’s relatives are not Christians and I
don't want my family 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 to. 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. With God all
things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the BANK. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new 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 here in.
Hoping to hearing from you soon.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours-in-Christ,
MRS. STELLA GALLAS
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