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: "Musa Abu" <musabus@netscape.net>
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 18:29:05 +0100
Subject: urgent


Good day,
I hope this mail meets you in good health and spirit; i am, Musa Khumalo a
Sierra Leonia Presently, I live as a refugee in republic of Ireland, with
My younger sister Laurent I am a victim of war and the son of late Rufus M
Khumalo the assassinated former assistant director of Sierra Leone
Gold and diamond Mining Corporation.
My father was killed with other government officials during official hours
When the rebel troops stormed and raided the mining corporation office at
The heat of the crisis in my country a few weeks later, the rebels also
Invaded our residential building in which my mother and two of our security
Men were killed in the compound while I was out
for a special Research program
and my younger sister was in school.
I had a singular shock and trauma, which compelled us to flee from the
Country to republic of Ireland by the help of an army colonel, who is a
Close friend of my late father, i have first degree in marketing and i would
Have further my education if not for the death of my parents. I have never
Worked to earn my living since my late parents had enough wealth for
Us.
I am contacting you
now because of the present difficulty i am facing.
Unfortunately my father's two accounts in West Africa have recently been
Frozen, however this did not affect the twenty million six hundred thousand
US dollars (us$ 20,600,000.00), which he deposited with a security company
Abroad, i am having every information and document needed for the
Collection of the deposit with the security company and i want you to act as
The beneficiary of the deposit for easy and smooth collection to your
Account abroad for investment purposes.
You will no doubt be adequately compensated with as well as a percentage of
The profit from investment of the fund, Also you will see to it that my
Sister and i come over to your country at the earliest possible time. I am
Making this request to you with tears in my eyes and i feel that God
Almighty will touch you with his spirit to listen to my cry for help and
Answer me without delay.
Since our breadwinner is no more and this is the only hope for life. Your
Positive response will give me the greatest joy and relief.
God
bless you for your kind assistance, we have agreed to offer you 20% of the total sum.
Seriously waiting for your urgent reply,
Best regard.
Musa Abu Khumalo.


Anti-fraud resources: