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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: "Hajia Mariam Abacha" <hma2pk@easy.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: hajiamariamabacha@libero.it
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 05:21:38 -0800
Subject: Transaction Proposal

Greetings.

This letter might surprise you because we have met neither in person nor by correspondence. But I believe it is one day that you get to know somebody either in physical or through correspondence. I am Mrs Mariam Abacha the wife of the former head of state the Federal Republic of Nigerian Late General Sani Abacha. Following the sudden death of my husband General Sani Abacha the late former head of state of Nigeria in August 1998, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness by the present civilian administration, I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in the country. I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation decided to reach you. I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so t!
hat is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you. I have deposited the sum of 15.5 million dollars with a security firm.

When my husband was the president of this county, before his death he informed me that he lodged some funds on two boxes with a security firm with an open beneficiary status. The lodgment Security Code Number was also revealed to me, he then advised me to look for a reliable business partner abroad, who will assist me in investing the money in a lucrative business as a result of economic instability in Nigeria. So this is the main reason why I am contacting you for us to move this money from the security firm to any country of your choice for investment purposes. So I will like you to be the ultimate beneficiary, so that the funds can be moved in your name and particularly to any country of your choice where it will be claimed and invested. But my Lawyer will guide you accordingly. As soon as the fund reaches you, the lawyer will then come over to meet you in person, so that we can discuss physically on Investment potentials.

Based on this I and my family have unanimously decided to give you 20% of the total money, 2% for charity homes and 3% for expenses, which may arise during the transaction, fax and phone bills inclusive. The balance of 75% you will invest and manage for my family.

I hereby guarantee you that this is not government money, it is not drug money and it is not money from arms deal.

Though you have to maintain high degree of confidentiality on this matter. My Lawyer will give you all proof of deposit and existence of money once assured and fully satisfied with your capability and honesty.

I hope this will be the beginning of a prosperous relationship between my family and your family. Nevertheless if you are for any reason not interest, kindly inform me immediately so that I will look for another contact. Please reply to my lawyer and let him no that I contacted you.

His name is Barrister Bruno De Preux
Email: brunodepreuxx@libero.it
I am waiting for your quick response.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Mariam Abacha







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