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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "marriam abachas" <marriamabachas11@msn.com>
Reply-To: marriamabachas1x@takemail.com
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:48:34 +0000
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL/URGENT

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL/URGENT
FROM: MRS. MARIAM ABACHA
LAGOS ? NIGERIA.
PRESIDENT/CEO

I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha, the widow of the late Gen. Sanni Abacha former
Nigeria Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac
Arrest. Since after my husband?s death my family is under restriction of
movement and that not withstanding, we are being molested, policed and our
Bank Account both here and abroad are being frozen by the Nigeria Civilian
Government.

Furthermore, my elder son is in detention by the Nigeria Government for more
interrogation about my husband?s assets and some vital documents. Following
the recent discovery of my husband?s Bank Account by the Nigeria Government
with Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of US$700 Million and DM450 Million
was logged. I therefore decided to contact you in confidence that I was able
to move out the sum of US$35.7 Million Dollars, which was secretly defaced
and is sealed in two Metal boxes for security reasons.

I therefore personally, appeal to you Seriously and religiously for your
urgent assistance to move this money into your country where I believe it
will be safe since I cannot leave the country due to the restriction of
movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigeria
Government.Please kindly send me your telephone number,fax number and also
your full names,address which I will hand over to my attorney to prepare you
on how to claim the funds from the security company.

However, arrangements have been put in place to move this money out of the
country in a secret vault through a security company, and as soon as you
indicate your interest my Lawyer shall send the related documents so that
you can help to claim the fund.Conclusively, we have agreed to offer you 30%
of the total sum while 60% is to be held on trust by you until we can decide
on a suitable business investment in your country subsequent to our free
movement by the Nigeria Government. While 10% is mapped out for expenses as
your government may demand for tax and it also coves your telephone bills.
Please reply urgently and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.

Best regards.
MRS. MARIAM ABACHA


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