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: salma muhammad <s_muhammad102@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <salma_muha9@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:20:58 +0200
Subject: Dearest One



Dearest One I know that my message will come to you as a suprise since i don't know you in person or met with you befor,please I have a problem which I needed a help from you,I have decided to write you for help. I have a proposal for you-this however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honour against your will.I am in a state of delinma and your profile pushed me to send you this mail, I am MUHAMMAD SALMA from SIERRE-LEONE Country and the only daughter of my late parents Mr. and Mrs. MUHAMMAD. My father was a highly reputable business magnet (a cocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days.It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad on 12th.Febuary 2005.Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time. But GOD knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 4 years old, and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father on 12 2005 he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of US$ 6M (Six million,United State Dollars).left in fixed/suspense account in one of the prime banks here in ABIDJAN that he used my name as his only daughter for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund. I am just a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life.I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. EMAIL: Now permit me to ask these few questions:-1. Can you honestly help me as your daughter?2. Can I completely trust you?
Will be good for you after the money is in your account? Please, Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Thank you so much.May God bless you and your family.THANKSYours sincerelySalam Muhammad
_________________________________________________________________
Besoin d'un e-mail ? Créez gratuitement un compte Windows Live Hotmail, plus sûr, plus simple et plus complet !
http://www.windowslive.fr/hotmail/default.asp

Anti-fraud resources: