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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: "mary nuel" <jesusmyhelper@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 14:43:51 +0000
Subject: compliments(your telephone and fax numbers including address is needed)

Good Day,
Compliments of the day. I hope that
this letter does not surprise you because we have not
met. However, I urge you to treat the information
which it contain with due and utmost attention. Apart
from being eternally grateful toyou, I also assure
that you shall be adequately compensated. My name is
Mrs Mary Koffi. I am the wife of Mr.Noel Koffi who
served as the chief security officer to president
Kabah of Sierra Leone. Unfortunately, my husband was
killed During the over throw of 24th December 1997.I
came to know of you in my search of a reliable person
to handle a very confidential business transaction,
which involves the transfer of a huge sum of $usd12m
million (Twelve million US dollars) which was
deposited in a finance house ,the former president
Tijan Kabah gave him this money for safe keeping when
he got information that the militaries were planning
to over throw him (KABAH).Unfortunately,my husband was
killed in that coup detract, and I am the only person
who has all the legal documents to claim this money.
My husband gave me all the legal documents that covers
this fund days before his death. I was waiting for
things to cool down before making my movebut the
recent crisis in my country has forced me to make the
move now. Now, i and my son is in refugee camp in
Nigeria. Right now, the money is in a safe place.I am
using this opportunity to seek for your assistance to
transfer this money into your account to be invested
in your country. All you need to do is to forward to
me an account where this money will be sent to so that
I can send my son (MICHAEL)to come over to your
country for investment. We don't have any business to
cover-up, that is why we need your assistance.If you
agree to this proposal, we shall discuss on the
parcentage and I will also forward to you all the
legal documents that covers this fund for
confirmation.Please reply me as soon as possible. I
awaits your quick response .
Yours faithfully,
Mrs
Mary Koffi/ Michael son.
NB/alternative email-
mylordhelps@yahoo.ca, my5ecretmail@myway.com,
o_mary@myway.com


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