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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: "Mlle Kadi Ballo" <mmemaricici64@cantv.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:21:53 -0430
Subject: GOODDAY SIR

Hello,

 

I decided to write to you to seek your help and advice. My name is Kadi BALLO; I am from Guinea Conakry, 17 yrs.  At present, I am writing to you from Ivory Coast. I came here about a month ago to avoid the continuous problem back home. My father, Mr. Serge Oumar BALLO, was the former ambassador of Guinea Conakry to Ivory Coast until 2008. He was attack by gunmen last year January in Conakry and the police claimed it was an arm robbery attack. Nevertheless, they killed him because of politics. Since his death, all his relatives were just after his belongings and my stepmother has confiscated most of the property.

 

Fortunately, my father deposited a ‘Trunk Case’ with a Security Company in Ivory Coast. The box as He said contains fund the sum of $4million dollars and his private document· However, he said that he registered the content of the box as African art works and official document, and that the firm is not aware of the true fund content. He indicated my name on the deposit paper as the next of kin, been the first child. I located the company here and they confirmed the existence of the ‘Trunk Case’ after demanding for my ID card the document of the deposit.

 

I wanted to retrieve the box from Ivory Coast. But, I am not able to retrieve the box as I do not have the means and I do not have any reliable person here. I do not want to anything that will make me to lose the fund. This is why I need you to help me, so I can put you in contact with the company as my guardian for them to forward the box to your safe destination to enable me come to your country to continue my education. Things are becoming very difficult for me here alone.

 

Please, I beg you to help me. I am a very good girl and I want you to know that your help will not be in vain. At least you will receive a little part of the fund first for your help. I will explain more and send to you the entire information when I receive your mail.

 

Sincerely,

Ms. Kadi BALLO

+22504846003

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