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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: "Mrs. Susan Ofor" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.susanofor@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2013 01:49:22 +0100
Subject: My Charity Donation Of $4.5M USD

Dear Friend
 
It is with tears and pains that I write this mail from my sick bed in a hospital. I believe you have never met such a condition before. My name is Mrs Susan Ofor , widow to late Mr. Andrew Ofor, former owner of PETROLEUM AND GAS Company, here in Republic of Benin.
 
I am 68 years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and it`s quite obvious that I won`t live more than 3 months according to what my doctors said. This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I don`t want your pity, but need only your trust. My late husband died in a fatal car accident two years ago.
 
And during the period of our marriage we could`t produce any child. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 3 month, so I have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the development of charity home and for orphanage.I want this fund to be used for building of orphanage homes in the name of my late husband. Am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail.
 
I found your e-mail address as a real Child of God for over a month now. I have been praying about you to know if really you are working according to the direction of God. so after all my prayers. I am convinced, and have decided to contact you.
 
Before my late husband died, he was a major oil tycoon and he deposited the sum of $4.5M USD (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Of American Dollars) in a local Bank here in Republic of Benin, which I his wife inherited as his next of kiln after his death. That is all I have left now and i need your help to collect these funds and use it to build an orphanage homes that will bear the name of my late husband (Mr. Andrew Ofor) so that his name will always be remembered.
 
However, the funds will be entirely in your hands to manage. I hope God gives you the wisdom to touch many lives who are in need. 40% of this fund will be for your time and effort, while 60% goes to the building of orphanage homes. Please to be sure that you can handle this project; Please get back to me so that i can inform the Bank about you coming to claim this Fund. Waiting to hear from you.
 
God bless you.
Regards
Mrs. Susan Ofor

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