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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: "maryam maryam" <maryam_abacha1z2002@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 04:47:26 -0700
Subject: From Hajia Mariam Abacha

>From Hajia Mariam Abacha
No 21B Abacha cresent
Kano State,
Nigeria

Dear Sir/Madam

ASSALAMALAKU"

I am Hajia (Mrs.) Maryam Abacha, wife of late Nigerian head of state- Gen.
Sanni Abacha.

We have not met before I got your contact while browsing searching for a
reliable organization or individual that I could trust with this transaction
and I felt I should trust you. It is no news telling you that my family has
been going through untold hardship since the 18th June 1998 when my husband
died. This transaction is real am Mariam real Mariam Abacha

My family has lost so much including some fixed assets my husband acquired
while in office. Evidently, the pages of all Nigeria dailies, which you can
equally get from Nigeria embassy in your country, will tell better our
story. Even now, our homes are under surveillance, worst of all, the
Government has restored to consficating everything that has to do with our
family.

Before the death of my husband, he ran among other business of his own,
bureau de change, which was flourishing with every Government support. From
the bureau de change business, which has now been clamped down by Nigeria
Government, I was able to saveUSD$24,000,000.00 in cash. I tried to
safeguard it in a security company here in Nigeria but couldn't. Through the
help of a close family friend who works in a security company, I delivered
the USD$24 million and moved it out of Nigeria under the label of
photographic materials to a security company in EUROPE.For security season,I
wouldn't mention the name of the country until I hear from you.

In view of our condition here and the high interest rate the security
company charges, the money could not be safe there. I would therefore need
your honest assistance to move this fund from the Security Company to your
nominated bank account. Once the money is safeguarded in your account, I
would requrie your directives to enable me invest same in any viable
business venture. If you accept this offer, of assistance you are requested
to contact me via my email address as above.

As soon as i receives your acceptance notice, my son will furnish you with
the details which includes; lodging code,Certificate of the said deposit and
clearance permit to enable you clear the consignment from the Security
Company. Note that, You will be accorded with 20% of the total sum for your
assistance. I promise you will never regret for your assistance.

My regard,

Mrs Maryam Abacha.


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