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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: "maria giggs" <mariagiggs1@msn.com>
Reply-To: mariagiggs1@myway.com
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 16:39:41 +0000
Subject: IAM CRYING FOR HELP

>From Miss MARIA Giggs.



Hi my dear
I am MARIA Giggs the only daughter of Mr& Mrs Giggs.

It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of
his business trips abroad year 25th.Febuary 2003.Though his sudden death was
linked or rather suspected to have been master minded by an uncle of his,
who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth!My mother died
when I was just 6 years old,and since then my father took me so special.

Before his death on Febuary 25 2003 he called the secretary who accompanied
him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of Sixten million,seven
hundred thousand United State dollar(USD$16.700,000) left in fixed deposit
account in one of the leading banks in Africa.

He further told him that he deposited the money in Bank,and finally issued a
written instruction to his lawyer whom he said is in possession of all the
necessary but legal documents to this fund and the bank.

His name is barrister SUNDAY JOHNSON. I am just 21 years old and an
university undergraduate and really don't know what to do.

Now I need an overseas account where I can transfer this funds and after the
transaction i will come and live with you and i'm ready to do anything of
your choice. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result
of incessant political crisis here in zambia.

The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life and i wished to
investe under your care please.I am in a sincere desire of your humble
assistance in this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly
regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
1. Can you honestly help me?
2. Can I completely trust you?

What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after
the money is in your account while i finalers my education? Please,Consider
this and get back to me as soon as possible.

sincere regards,
Miss MARIA Giggs


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