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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: "Mrs Miran Zafar" <miranzafar779@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 16:13:05 +0100
Subject: Please am waiting for your reply.

Assalamualaikum,

I am Mrs. Miran Zafar .I wish to inform you that this message is coming directly from me. Inspite of any impression you may have about this letter, I am still hopeful that Allah the most merciful, most compassionate will provide me with a helping hand in this project.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Zafar, while on pilgrimage at Mecca, Saudi Arabia in February 2004 was one of the victims who died as a result of the stampede that took place during the stone-throwing ritual.
Three months after my husband death, unknown assassins ambushed and murdered Ibrahim, my only son, whom my husband WILLED all our property including our motor company (ASD MOTOR CO.LTD) to. I strongly believe that my son's death was planned by one of ASD Motor managers, so that they will wipe out my family and take possession of all our property. I am now living in great fear and uncertainty as regards my safety in this country.
For my survival, I have decided to sell my late husband property and relocate to another country, hence the need for contacting you. What I want you to do is to help me provide a safe account where, USD 19,500,000 million, which my husband lodged in a security firm will be transferred. I have contacted you because a foreign account is needed to transfer the funds.

If you can help me, please reply, I will provide you with the details for transfer and every other information you will need for the money to be transferred to you. I want to compensate you with 10% of the total money hoping it is a fair offer for your assistance.
Waiting anxiously to hear from you. Thanks for your kindness and generosity. Please contact me on my personal email address: miranzafar779@yahoo.co.uk

Your faithfully,
Mrs. Miran Zafar.


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