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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS.MARGRIET BERNARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dongerald1970@aim.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:26:06 +0200
Subject: PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL AND CONTACT MY LAWYER

Hello Dear
My name is Mrs.Margriet Bernhard ; I am a dying woman who has decided to donate
what I have to you. I am 59 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer for about 2
years ago, immediately after the death of my husband, who has left me everything he worked
for and because the doctors told me I will not live longer than some weeks because of my
health, I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $1,400,000 (One million four hundred thousand
dollars) to you for the good work of humanity, and also to help the
motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows.
I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly,and please use
the funds well and always extend the good work to others. Contact my lawyer
Barr. Abogado De Justicia Notario & Tribunal
Mr.Gerald Luis Albert
Email:avocategerald@rediffmail.com
dongerald1970@aim.com
Tel.+34-698-393-603
{Legal Adviser})
and tell him that I have WILLED($1,400,000.00)
to you and I have also notified him. I know I don’t know you but I have been directed to do
this. Thanks and God bless.
NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the
task is accomplished as i don't want anything that will jeopardize my last wish.
>From Mrs.Margriet Bernhard .

Anti-fraud resources: