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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: "Wuwa Hajia" <marhajia2@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:52:46 +0000
Subject: In Good Faith.

From Dr Mrs Hajia A Mariam.
Email: marhajia1@hotmail.com

Dear Friend,

Following the sudden death of my husband,I have been subjected tophysical
and psychological torture by the security agents in the country. As a widow
that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody within the
country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the
recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different
security firmsabroad, some companies willingly give up their secrets and
disclosed our money confidently lodged there or many outright blackmail. In
fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of
$700Milliondollars.

And they are not relenting to make me poor for life. I got your contacts
through my personal research,and out of desperation decided toreach you
through this medium.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 to day affairs I cannot afford to
visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you
will not betray my confidence in you. I was Lucky to have
deposited the sum of $28.6million Dollars, whose name is witheld for now
until we open communication, I shall be grateful if you could assist in
transfering this fund into your account for safe keeping.

This arrangement is known to you and my Son alone, So he will deal directly
with you as security is up my whole being.I am seriously considering to
settle down abroad in a friendly atmosphere like yours as soon as this fund
get into your account so that I can start all over again if only you wish,
just help me in Transfering this fund into your account which will accrue
you 30% of this fund. Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction.
I will require your telephone and fax numbers so that we can commence
communication immediately and I will give you a more detailed picture of
things. In case you dont accept please do not let me out to the security as
I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence. I will
greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.

Please endeavour to reply me via my confidential email address of
:marhajia1@hotmail.com

Please expedite action.
Sincerely yours,
Dr Mrs Hajia Mariam.


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