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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: harriskone53@seznam.cz
Reply-To: harriskone101@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:42:58 +0100 (CET)
Subject: =?us-ascii?Q?From=20Harris=20=26=20Sister=20Janet=20Kone?=

>From Harris & Sister Janet Kone
Abidjan, Ivory Coast, West Africa.

I am Harris and younger Sister Jannet Kone we are the children of Late Mr.Alfred Kone a licensed solid mineral (gold, diamond,exporter before he passed away. Before his death my father, apparently, married a woman who became our stepmother because my mother died when we are very young. Our stepmother already had two daughters of about my age, and they came with her to live in my Father's house. I discovered that there was some ill-feeling from my stepmother towards us, since then we have been badly treated; being forced to undertake work befitting only a servant, in my father's own house.
When my father died instead of being in the state of mourns as custom demand, she went as much as desired and claimed my father's property as well into the future regarded as a possible danger to our live. My father before passing away informed me privately that he had an account valued Six Million United State Dollars (USD$6,000,000) which he intend to transfer into his foreign associate's account for investment abroad on my behalf, this money he acquired from the export contract he secured and executed under the umbrella of the government.

Truly i don't know you but considering our situation and security, couple with an uncontrollable crisis between the rebels and government, our lives is no more protected here. We confided on your assistance and write with every respect due to your good person and ask that you assist us to get the money transfer to your bank account on my behalf as my late father's foreign associate to your country for investment.
Please we want to know you better, if you can be in position to assist us in any way, we will be glad and willing to offer you 15% of the total sum for your assistance in retrieving the money and effort input after the successful transfer of this money. I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate, industrial production or any other lucrative investment you bring to my notice, while my younger sister will continue her education in your country,
Please if you are willing to assist us, indicate your interest by sending your phone number & address so that I can communicate with you at any time. we are from sierra leone but residing in Ivory Coast west Africa.

I will be waiting for your response.
Thanks and God bless you.
Your's Sincerely
Harris & Janet Kone.


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