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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "abidjan" (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 Rita Lee" <rita_leem6755@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: richelleem120@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2013 20:57:05 +0800
Subject: Rita from kuwait
Good day please I want you to use this my late husband fund and do charity
work in the house of our lord first I am Mrs Rita Lee from Kuwait .I am
married to Mr Paul Mehi. Who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for
nine years before he died in the year 2007.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 Christian. Since his death I decided
not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is
against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$3.5 million
dollars in a Security Company in here in Abidjan Ivory Coast Presently, this
money is still in Security Company here in Abidjan Ivory Coast.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months
due to cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church that will
utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a church that
will use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating
The word of God and to endeavour 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 efforts to
be used by unbelievers. I don't want a situation where this money will be used
in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this 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 hence 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 Security
Company here in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire. I will also issue you an authority
letter that will prove you the present 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 another church for this same purpose. Please assure
me that you will act accordingly as I Stated here in.
Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Rita Lee
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