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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" <mariam_b_2005@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mariamabachahome@compaqnet.fr
Date: Mon, 08 Aug 2005 19:03:18 -0800
Subject: A CRY FOR HELP

Dear Friend,
It is with heart full of hope that I write to seek your help in the
context below.I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha the wife of the former Nigerian
Head
of State Late General Sani Abacha,whose sudden death occurred on 8th
June
1998. Having got your particulars from the family library, I have no
doubt
about your capacity and goodwill to assist me in receiving into your
custody
(for safety) the sum of US$25million Willed and deposited in my favour
by my
late husband. This money is currently kept in a Finance & Securities
Company
in Europe. As it is legally required, the administration of my late
husband
property is under the authority of the family Lawyer. However, the new
democratic government has on assumption of office set up a panel of
enquiry
to probe the financial activities of my late husband (former head of
state)
with a decision to freeze all his Assets respectively. The
investigation
team has submitted their report;presently some cash and assets have
been
frozen and seized.Fortunately, our family lawyer had secretly protected
the
personal will of my husband from the notice of investigators and have
strictly advised that the willed money be urgently moved into an
overseas
account of trusted foreign friend without delay, for security reasons.
The
government had earlier placed foreign travel embargo on all our family
members and seized all known local and international business outlet
belonging to my late husband. The situation has been so terrible that
we are
virtually living on the assistance of well wishers. In view of this
plight
therefore, I expect you to be trustworthy and kind enough to respond to
this
call I hereby agree to compensate your sincere and candid effort in
this
regard with 25% of the fund when finally received by you. The attorney
has
perfected arrangements with the securities and finance firm to effect
complete dislodgment of this money to you within a week of the receipt
of
your response. They have equally guaranteed 100% risk-free and smooth
transfer to you if you so request. Please send down the following
information as you respond to this SOS message: 1.Your private
telephone and
fax numbers for prompt access.Do include your mobile phone number also.
2.Your full names and address. As I look forward to your response , may
you
remain blessed abundantly. Please do respond immediately to my direct
email
address :

mariamabachahome@compaqnet.fr

Warmest regards MRS. MARIAM ABACHA



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