joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Han Smith" <han_smith_2004@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 00:26:11 +0000
Subject: URGENT NEXT OF KIN

Dear beloved in Christ

I am Han Smith from Malaysia. I am married to late John
Gwan Smith of blessed memory who worked with Malaysia
embassy in Amsterdam-Holland for twelve years before he
died in the year 2000. We are married for eleven years
without a child; he died after a brief illness that lasted
for only four days. Before his death we were both devoted
Christians. Since his death I too have been battling with
both cancer and fibroid problem. When my late husband was
alive he deposited the sum of (US$5.5Million ) with a
security company firm in Amsterdam-Holland. Recently, my
doctor told me that I would not last for the next three
months due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs
me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to either a charity
organization, devoted Christian individual or God fearing
person that will utilize this money the way I am going to
give instruction with all sincerity to fund churches,
Orphanages,widows and also propagating the word of God
miracle.

The Word of God emphasizes so much on God benevolence that
i make this decision because I don`t have any child that
will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not
God fearing, for they are into idolatry worship and I
don?t want a situation where this money will be used in an
unholy manner.

Hence the reasons for taking this bold decision. I know
that after death I will be with God the most beneficent and
most merciful. I don`t need any telephone communication in
this regard because of my health, and also,because of the
presence of my husbands relatives around always. I don`t
want them to know about this development. With God all
things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply, I
shall give you the contact of the Finance Security
Company in Amsterdam-Holland where the diplomatic
consignment was Deposited for safekeeping. I will also
issue an order of authority to the security company,
authorizing them that the said luggage have being willed to
you and a copy of such authorization will be forwarded to
you. I want you and the believers / community where you
reside to always pray for me. My happiness is that I lived
a true devoted life worthy of emulation. Whosoever, that
wants to serve God must serve him in truth and fairness.

Please always be prayerful all through your life. Any delay
in your Reply will give room in sourcing for another person
/ organization for this same purpose. You will have 20% out
of the total amount for all your time to carry out this
dream and to cover whatever expenditures to claim this
money.

Until I hear from you today unfailingly., my dream will
rest squarely on your shoulders. May the Almighty God
continue to guide and protect us.

Peace of the lord be with you.

Yours sister in the lord.


Anti-fraud resources: