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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: "Cynthia Mobutu" <cynthia_mobutu2004@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: cynthia_mobutu2004@myway.com
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 19:53:30 +0000
Subject: I Need Your Urgent Help

Dear Sir/Ma'am,
 
Please, pardon me for I know that this  proposal will come to you as a
surprise because you did not expect it from some one whom you have
not seen or met before, but kindly rest assured for I meant well
and made it with all sincererity and also require you to treat it
with top most secret and confidentiality.
 
I am MRS.CYNTHIA MOBUTU SESE SEKO, the wife of Late Mobutu Sese Seko,
the former President of Democratic Republic of Congo. My husband
was dethroned by Laurent Kabila, who forced him to go on exile and
take refuge in Morocco with his entire family. Following the sudden
death of my late husband, Mobutu Sese Seko, and the circumstances
sorounding his death in Morocco in 1997, due to insecurity I
decided to take my leave to  hide in Nigeria with my children.
 
After much deliberation with My Son (Alfonso Mobutu) and our family
lawyer concerning my late husband's only remaining fund,
($35,000000.00  USD) only which I saved in a  Finance & Security
Company, which I will give you their contacts as soon as I open up confidential communications with you.He advised me to look for a foreign partner who will be trusted and willing to receive this fund, US$35,000000.00 in his/her account for investment purposes in his country under his close supervision.
 
And I decided to contact you after looking through your profile in the
web. And since Alfonso Mobutu is the first son of my late husband,
he will be handling with you all matters in regard to this
transaction. Please reply me immediately so that we can be able to
arrange with you confidently on how the fund will be transferred to
you.
 
Because of insecurity and political instability in Africa at
large, I am seriously considering to settle down abroad in a
friendly atmosphere like yours as soon as this fund gets into your
account so that I can start all over again if only you wish. But
for your acceptance to receive this fund in your account and assist
me to invest it, your reward is 30% of the sum.
 
PLEASE THIS IS MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS: cynthia_mobutu2004@myway.com
 
We are waiting for your urgent reply.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Mrs.Cynthia Mobutu.

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