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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: esther kipkalya <estherkipkalya2@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 19:33:24 +0100 (BST)
Subject: PLEASE HELP ME OUT.


My Dearest,
      

     
I am writing this mail to you With due respect trust and humanity, i
appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter i
feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business having gone
through your remarkable profile, honestly i am writing this email to
you with pains, tears and sorrow from my heart, i will really like to
have a good relationship with you and i have a special reason why i
decided to contact you, i decided to contact you due to the urgency of
my situation, My name is Miss. Esther Kipkalya Kones, 25yrs old female
and I from Kenya in  Africa. My father was the former Kenyan road
Minister. He and Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Lorna Laboso had
been on board the Cessna 210, which was headed to Kericho and crashed in
a remote area called Kajong'a, in western Kenya
.. The plane crashed on the Tuesday 10th, June, 2008.... You can read
more about the crash through the below site:http://edition.cnn.com/ 2008/WORLD/africa/06/10/kenya. crash/index.html
 
After
the burial of my father, my stepmother and uncle conspired and sold my
father's property to an Italian Expertrate which the shared the money
among themselves and live nothing for me. One faithful morning, I opened
my father's briefcase and found out the documents which he have
deposited huge amount of money in one bank in Burkina Faso with my name
as the next of kin. I travelled to Burkina Faso to withdraw the money
for a better life so that I can take care of myself and start a new
life, on my arrival, the Bank Director whom I met in person told me that
my father's instruction to the bank is that the money would only be
release to me when I am married or present a trustee who will
help me and invest the money overseas... I am in search of an honest
and reliable person who will help me and stand as my trustee so that I
will present him to the Bank for transfer of the money to his bank
account overseas.
 
I have chosen to contact you after my prayers
and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as
your own sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself
to you without knowing you, well I will say that my mind convinced me
that you may be the true person to help me.. Moreover, I will like to
disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country
because my stepmothers have threatened to assinate me. The amount is(
$8.5 USD )Million United State Dollars, and I have confirmed from the
bank in Burkina Faso on my arrival, You will also help me to place the
money in a more profitable business venture in your Country. However,
you will help by recommending a nice University in
your country so that I can complete my studies. It is my intention to
compensate you with 40% of the total money for your services and the
balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive
your positive response showing your interest I will put things into
action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an
urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this
transaction sincerely. Awaiting your urgent and positive response.
Please do keep this only to your self for now until the bank will
transfer the fund. I beg you not to disclose it till i come over because
I am afraid of my wreaked stepmother who has threatened to kill me and
have the money alone ,I thank God Today that am out from my country
(KENYA) but now In (Burkina-Faso) where my father deposited these money
with my name as the next of Kin.. I have the documents for the claims.
 
Yours Sincerely  Esther Kipkalya
Kones.

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