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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: <joshuatinman@virgilio.it>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 15:38:34 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: PLEASE READ MY STORY

PLEASE READ MY STORY

Private Email: joshuatinman2006@netscape.net

Dear friend,

Let me introduce my self to you, I am JOSHUA TINMAN.

I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that
was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know
that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the
money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come
to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have
lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of
my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as
well as a few close friends.

I have been diagnosed with esophageal
cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I
have only about a few months more to live on this earth, I want God to
be merciful to me and accept my soul so; I have decided to give alms to
charity organizations round the world, as I want this to be one of the
last of my good deeds on earth. So far, I have distributed money to
some charity organizations in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and
Sudan. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this
myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my
accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity
organization in Bulgaria and India, but they refused and kept the money
to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to
be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of my money
which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of U.S 18.5m (Eighteen
million five hundred thousand United States Dollars). These funds were
deposited in 2004 with a trusted Banking and Security Company abroad. I
want you to help me receive the funds and dispatched them to reputable
charity organizations. I have also set out 10% of this money to be
giving to the less privileged in Sri lanka, Indonesia and Thailand 10%
has being set aside for you and for your time.
If this proposition
interests you, and you really want to assist me, kindly forward the
following information to me:

(1) Your present contact address.
(2)
Your private phone numbers including mobile.
(3) Your private fax
number.
(4) Your complete names starting with your surname first.

You
should understand that this information requested will enable me to
prepare the letter of authority in your favor and as well enhance
communication with the Banking and Security Company, making you the new
beneficiary to the funds. Note that I will also forward to you the
original copy of the certificate of deposit issued to me by the Bank.

You are to respond through my personal and safe email address.
God
be with you.

Email (Private): joshuatinman2006@netscape.net

Kind
Regards,

Mr. Joshua Tinman.

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