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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 ABACHA" <mariaabacha@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 01:09:11 +0000
Subject: YOUR CO-OPERATION.

FROM: MRS MARIAM ABACHA
NO: 28b ABACHA'S CRESCENT GIDADO ROAD
KANO - NIGERIA.
 
DEAR. Sir/Madam,
 
It is my pleasure to contact you in a situation like this, i know that the content of this letter might be a surprise to you, but even though we hardly know each other, i believe that you can help me.
I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha, the widow of the late Gen.Sanni Abacha former Nigerian Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac Arrest.
Since after my husbands death my family is under restriction of movement and that not withstanding, we are being molested, policed and our Bank Account both here and abroad are being frozen by the Nigerian Government.Furthermore, my elder son was in detention by the Nigerian Government for more interrogation about my husbands assets and some vital documents. Following the recent discovery of my husband's Bank Account by the Nigerian Government with Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of US$70 Million was logged.
I therefore decided to contact you in confidence that l was able to
Move out the sum of US$30.5 Million Dollars, which was secretly sealed in two Metal Boxes for security reason and was deposited with a safe diplomatic courier company in Europe for safe Keeping.
I therefore personally, appeal to you seriously and religiously for your urgent assistance to move this money into your country where l believe It will be safe since l cannot leave the country due to the restriction of movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigerian Government.
 
My lawyer will arrange all the necessary document papers that covers this consignment in order to lease with you toward effective completion of this money out of the country in a secret vault through a safe diplomatic courier company in Europe, and as soon as you Indicate your interest my Lawyer shall send you the contact information of the company together with secret code of the consignment and other related documents that will help you claim the consignment.
 
Conclusively, we have agreed to offer you 25% of the total sum while 5% is to be held on trust by you until we regain our freedom from the Nigerian Government and also decide on a suitable business investment in your country subsequent to our free movement by the Nigerian Government. Please reply urgently to my private box (abamariam_2005@fastermail.com) and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
 
Best Regards.
MRS.M.ABACHA
 
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