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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: MS PATRICA OPONG <pat1970@o2.pl>
Reply-To: patricia35@aussiemail.com.au
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:24:55 +0200
Subject: GREAT OFFER.


Dear Sir/Madam,

With due respect,and great pains i write you this letter considering the fact that we have not known ourselves or met previously.But I am constrained to write you this letter because of the urgency of it.

I am MRS. O .E PATRICIA ,35yrs wife of late Brigadier Gen. D Opong
former LEADER OF ECOMOG ARMY COMMANDER IN LIBERIA ] who died in the LIBERIA civil disturbance [War] last year. My two daughters and I are trapped in obnoxious custom traditional norms.

We have suffered maltreatment and untold hardship in the hands of my late husband's family, simply because I did not bear a male child [heir apparent] for my late husband. By their tradition, all that my late husband had, [wealth] belongs to his brothers /family. And myself is to be remarried by his immediate younger brother which I vehemently refused.

They have taken all that I suffered with my husband to acquire including treasures, houses and his bank particular seized by them.They have even gone to the extent of restricting my movement within the family estate and they do not even allow me to receive or make phone calls,my olny means of communication now is internet which i do when they are not arround. Myself and my two daughters have been subjected to in human treatments from my late husbands family members,to feed now is even a big problem.

Thank God, recently, I received a message from a financia institution in Europe that my late husband deposited 15.5, 000.000. million euros cash and have not showned up for some time now.This motivated me to contact you to assist me in securing these funds in a very reliable bank Account,for urgent investment overseas on my familys behalf, while you find a way of getting us out to your country.Although These funds was kept on an "OPEN BENEFICIARY MANDATE" with the bank to avoid detection,seizure or diversion. I replied the bank and told them all that has happened to my family and The manager of the bank has express willingness to help me on meeting the banks demand, as soon as I submit a reliable bank account for the wire transfer. This is why I have contacted you to help save my children and I, by receiving these funds on our behalf. But, you would need to give me sufficient
assurance that if you help me, you would not divert the funds. My children and I have resolved to give you 30% of the total sum. This is all my children and I have got to live on.

Please, I have reposed my confidence in you and hope you will not disappoint me. I look forward to your urgent response, including your full name & address, private phone /mobile Number and also your fax for easier communication.


Please note that, this information is strictly confidential.

Remain Blessed.

Mrs Patricia Opong,

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