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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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Fraud email example:

From: Mariam Seko <sekma01@si2u.com>
Reply-To: mariam01@omaninfo.com
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2004 04:36:46 +0000
Subject: Letter of intent

From: Mrs. Mariam M. Sese-seko
Dear Friend,
I solicit for your patience and read through my mail, though you need not respond immediately, as you will need some time to decide.
First and foremost, I am Mrs. M. Sese-seko widow to late Mobutu Sese-seko, former president of Zaire, now democratic republic of Congo. I am moved to write you this letter, as I am doing this in confidence, considering my present condition.
I fled along with my husband, two sons and grand children out of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to a neighbouring country in west Africa, where my family and I settled, and I later moved to Morroco with my Husband, due to my Husband's illness, though he later died of cancer disease.
Due to the incessant querries of the Government of DRC, regarding my husband's wealth and properties, resulted accord between the Swiss authority and (DR.) Mr. Laurent Kabila to freeze all my late husband's treasures (funds, jewelries and diamonds) deposited in Swiss bank and some European countries. For this reason and other, my eldest son advised that we lie low in Africa, pending when the coast is clear and I had to change my identity so that my investment will not be traced and confiscated.
I have depsoited the sum of Nine million united state dollars ($9,000,000) with a holding company (safe deposit company) in europe. The funds are security coded to prevent people from knowing the content. I seek your assistance to act as my agent (being the beneficiary) and secure the funds on my behalf from the holding company, as my lawyer will prepare all necessary documents that will indicate that I have empowered you to act on my behalf. Therefore, I will appriciate you indicate your interest in your return mail to me.
Due to my present ill health, upon acknowledging your interest, I will introduce you to my eldest son who will educate you on the modus operandi on how we will achieve success in this endeavour.
For us to achieve 100% success in this endeavour, I very much advice that you do not reveal my indentity to any one for now. Though I will want you to invest the funds in properties, stocks and other viable business opportunities in your country.
We hope and pray you will not betray the trust and confidence we have in your person.
Finally, in your return mail, kindly furnish us with your telephone and fax numbers, so that my son can give you a call and discuss in details with you.

Yours faithfully
Mrs. M. Sese-seko


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