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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: "Maria Stevens" <mariastevens@mariastevens.com>
Reply-To: mrsmariastevens1@mail.ru
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 12:54:17 +0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP PLS.

I NEED YOUR HELP PLS.
>From Mrs Maria Stevens
Gwanda town in Zimbabwe.

I know how surprise this letter will come to you,but i would advice that you
consider it as a request from a family in dare need of assistance.I am
Mrs.Maria Stevens of Gwanda town in Zimbabwe.Your contact information came
to me from your country's email directory during my search for a reliable
and God fearing person that can assist me and my four sons,and I quite
beleive on my own that you can be of great help in this regard even if i am
not acquainted to you before.
This business involves the transfer of TWELVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
U.S.DOLLARS ONLY (US$12,500,000.00) into your account for safe keeping.This
fund is inherited from my late husband Dave who was assasinated by the
president's (ROBERT MUGABE) aides in view of taking his lands and property
during the crisis which lead to the killing and barnishing of foreign(white)
farmers. After the death of my husband (A day I can never forget) I was
approached by our family lawyer who told me that my late husband had filed a
document with him which stipulates his WILL.In the WILL he specifically
pointed and I quote, Please, I wish to draw your attention to the sum of
Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S.Dollars(U.S$12.500,000.00M)which I
deposited with a bank in United Kingdom with all the documents filed by our
lawyer. In case of my absence on earth caused by death only,I wish to
solicit for a foreigner that can assist me to transfer the money out of
United Kingdom for investment purposes. I have saved this money to make the
future of my four only sons.

>From the above explanations you will understand that my future especailly
the future of my son depends on this money and as such I will be grateful if
you can assist us in transfering this fund to your account overseas for our
investments.
You can contact my Lawyer Mr Antonio Kabala esq in United Kingdom on email
is (antoniokabala@mail.ru)and with our lawyer to arrange the modalities of
transfering this fund without any hitch.
For your assistance we have agreed to offer you 30% of the whole fund,while
the remaining 70% will be kept for us under your care till our arrival in
your country. While replying, kindly enclose your telephone and fax numbers
for our easier communication.
Waiting for your prompt and positive response.Please read about problems in
Zimbabwe from the link below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/716813.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
God bless you for your anticipated undertstanding and co-operation.
I am waiting urgently for your reply you must keep these transaction very
confidential for my life safety..
Best regards
Mrs Maria Stevens.


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