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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:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Susan Nanah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <susan.nanah@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 19:10:45 -0700
Subject: How are you and your family?
My Dearest
How are you and your family?
I am Mrs Susan Nanah . I am married to Late Vincent Nanah of blessed memory who is an oil explorer in Libya and Kuwait for twelve years; before he died in the year 2001. We were married for twelve years without a child. My husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four nights. Since his death I have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems. When my late Husband was alive he deposited a substantial amount of money in a bank which i want to donate to you to invest it into charity homes.
Recently, my doctor told me that I have only six months to live in this world due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to you because i know that you are God fearing person to use this it in charity homes (motherless homes), orphanages, and widows.
Although, I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money . Hence the reasons for this bold decision .Please, pray for me to recover as your prayers will go a long way in uplifting my spirit. I don't need any telephone communication in this regard, because my doctor has advised me not to speak on phone due to of my health.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you further directives on what to do and how to go about actualizing this project. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the deposited bank authorizing them that the said fund has being willed to you and a copy of such authorization will be forwarded to you. I want you to always pray for me so that God will help me to survive.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Remain Blessed.
Mrs Susan Nanah
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