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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: "shadak shari" <shadakshari@investmart.net>
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 12:21:56 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend.

Dear Friend.

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me,
because, I believe everyone will die someday.
My name is Shadak Shari,
a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E.I have been
diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .It has defiled all forms of medical
treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live,
according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared
for anyone(not even myself)but my business. Though I am very rich, I
wasnever generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on
my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret
all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to
have or make all themoney in the world.

I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I
would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that
God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and
assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few
close friends.

I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided
to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the
last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some
charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my
health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.

I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and
distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in
Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves.
Hence,

I donot trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what
Ihave left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the
huge cash deposit ofseven million dollars $7,000,000,that I have with a
finance/Security Company abroad. I will want you to help me collect
this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations.

I have set aside 10% for you for your time and patience.please send a
reply through this email address(shadakshari001@zwallet.com) with your
fullcontact information for more private and confidential
communication.

God be with you.

Shadak Shari


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