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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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: gracejohson1@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2014 19:27:35 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dearest In The Lord
Dearest In The Lord
I am Mrs Grace Johnson from Iran I married to late Dr Robert
Johnson who worked with Iran embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years
before he died in the year 2008.We were married for eleven years with out 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 three Million
five houndred thausand Dollars in one of the finance company here in Abidjan.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months due
to cancer problem. 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 or Individual that will use this fund for orphanages,
widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor 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 finance company. I will also issue you an authorisation
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 shephard. 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 continue your prayers upon me. 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 herein. Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Grace Johnson
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