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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: "Anne Bates" <annbatess@fsmail.net>
Reply-To: <annbates@fsmail.net>
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:16:43 -0000
Subject: Letter from hospital

Letter from hospital
This is Anne from Trinidad &Tobago. I am writing from the hospital in Cote d’Ivoire western coast of Africa, therefore this mail is very urgent.

I was told by the doctor that I was poisoned and has got my liver damaged and can only live for some months. I inherited some money ($16.5 Million) from my late father and I cannot think of anybody trying to kill me apart from my step mother in order to inherit the money, she is a citizen of Cote D’ivoire.

I want you to forward to my maid (Barbara) with your private telephone and fax numbers including a copy of valid passport or any form of ID to enables her submit them to my lawyer.

Now, I want you to contact my house maid with informations below:
Miss Barbara Aloko
Address: Rue De La Avenue du Maine L/G 152 Cocody Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire.
Western coast Africa) Email / soloxinto02@yahoo.co.jp

My lawyer needs to work on the change of ownership beneficiary of fund to your name before the fund transfer can take effect and you are required to provide them with all necessary informations to enable the lawyer start with the changing of ownership beneficiary of the fund to your name as beneficiary.

This are the favours I need from you.

(1) Give 15% of the money to my house maid Barbara Aloko as she has been there for me throughout my illness and I have promised to support her in life. I want you to take her along with you to your country to continue her education and establish her as your daughter/ family member because she is an orphan.

(2) Give 45% of the money to Charity Organisations and Churches on my name and the remaining 40% for you. Barbara is so little (age 17years) therefore guide her

Note:

This should be a code between you and Barbara Aloko in this transaction "Hospital" as the subject, any mail message without this code "Hospital" is not from Barbara or me as I don't know what will happen to me in the next few hours.

Barbara will send you my personal documents when you reach for her. And if I don't hear from you within two days, I will look for another person. May God bless you and use you to accomplish my wish.
Pray for me always.
Anne Nanda Bates.
Thank you Holy Father.


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