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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: "lisa nkomo" <lisankomo00010@gmail.com>
Reply-To: lisankomo@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 03:56:20 +0000
Subject: Compliment of the season.


*Compliment of the season.*

*Dear friend,*

I am Mrs Lisa Nkomo, wife of late Mr Mark W. Nkomo. My late husband was
among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the
agents of the ruling government of President Robert Mugabe for his alleged
support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean opposition party controlled by the
entire minority. Immediately after his death I ran away with my only son who
is 18 years old to Accra-Ghana, one of the most peaceful country and also a
tourist country as I foresaw the looming danger in zimbabwe.

I do hereby wish to ask for your assistance in urgent help that requires
absolute honesty and secrecy person.My husband deposited funds with a
Finance firm in Ghana worth about US$15,000,000.00(Fifteen Million United
States Dollars). I and my family are currently residing in Ghana, now I have
contacted the finance firm were my husband deposited the money and they ask
me come with all the document,and I have all with me here,and I have really
been waiting for a more suitable time and opportunity to contact somebody
concerning this.
Right now, the money is in a safe place, he deposited it with a finance firm
for safe keeping. I am using this opportunity to seek for your assistance
to move this money to your country,and to be invested on commercial property
in your conutry,on behalf of my only son. For this business to be concluded
immediately, all we need from you is assurance that you will not sit on this
money when it finally gets into your personal or company account in your
country. Please we can't do this on our own because we don't have account
else where, Moreover, Ghana foreign exchange policy does not allow Assylum
Seekers immediate investment chances. we don't have any business or conpany
to cover-up,this money this is why we needed your assistance.

I will give you the full power to manage the money on behalf of my son in
your country.I shall forward to you the certificate of deposit when I
receive your reply.

PLEASE YOU CAN READ ABOUT PROBLEMS IN ZIMBABWE FROM THE LINKS BELOW.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1063785.stm

Your urgent response will be highly anticipated.

Your telephone and fax number will be needed for our easy communication.

*Yours faithfully,
Mrs Lisa Nkomo.*

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