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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Luisa Estrada" <mrsluisa@msn.com>
Reply-To: mrjuestrada@myway.com
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 17:03:22 +0000
Subject: TO WHOM IT MAY PLEASE

Dear Friend,

Though this approach appears desperate, difficulties encountered in efforts
to establish a business abroad necessitate this search for someone to assist
me in securing and investing the sum of USD18,000,000 (eighteen million
dollars) deposited in my name abroad.

By way of summarized profile of myself, I am Dr Luisa Estrada, a 64years
old lady and the wife of Joseph Ejercito Estrada(former head of state and
President of Philippines) From past experiences, many people I had regarded
as close friends and relatives has capitalize on my family's travail to run
away with my money. In order to avert this negative development, I in
conjunction with my son now seek your permission to allow us do a CHANGE OF
WNERSHIP/REASSIGNMENT

OF CREDIT of stated funds from the deposit company to your name, so that the
funds (US$18million)would be released to you as the BENEFICIARY (on behalf
of me and my family).Our family trustee have secretly protected the deposit,
you are to assist us to lay claims of the funds with the aid of all legal
documents that will be forwarded to you as time goes on. If you agree to
help, we shall discuss the disbursement ratio in our next correspondence
after we have been acquainted. I have decided to offer 20% of the above sum
to anyone who assists us to secure this funds overseas or 20% share for
possible help on investing in any reliable venture.

No doubt this proposal will make you apprehensive, please I employ you to
observe utmost confidentiality and rest assured that this transaction would
be most profitable for both of us.PLEASE INDICATE YOUR INTEREST BY
RESPONDING TO MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS. mrjuestrada@myway.com WITH THE
FOLLOWING INFO.

Your full name and address

Your telephone/fax numbers.

Once I receive this information, my son will prepare the necessary documents
that will put you in place as the new owner of the funds. The money will
then be released to your custody by the Deposit Company.

Awaiting your swift response.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Mrs Luisa Estrada.

mrjuestrada@myway.com


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