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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.
- mrslisafernando1@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs lisa Fernando" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrslisafernando1@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2012 21:16:14 +0100
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU
Mrs Lisa Fernando,
I am the above named person from philippines . I am married to Dr SAZON
FERNANDO who worked with philippines embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years
before he died in the year 2010.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 Rome Italy. 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
funds 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 Amsterdam-Netherlands. I will also issue you a
letter of authority that will prove you as the original- beneficiary of this
Funds. 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. 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
Lisa Fernando.
Note: reply email to mrslisafernando1@aol.com
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