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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: Mrs Sarah Al Ghazali <mrs.sarahalghazali@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sarahalghazali.mrs@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:57:12 +0700
Subject: WARM GREETINGS

Dearest in the Lord!

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not yet met. After searching through your country's Chamber of Commerce and industry directory here, I am contacting you to assist me, I have to say that I have no intentions of causing you any pains as you read this.

I am Mrs. Sarah Al Ghazali, from Iraq. I am married to Fahad Al Ghazali of blessed memory who worked with Iraq Foreign Mission in countries in Europe and Asia for nine years before he died in the year 2007. We were married for twenty - two years without a child he died after a brief illness. I am currently battling with both cancer and fibroid problems when my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of Six million, five hundred thousand dollars with an overseas finance firm. Presently, this money is still with finance firm.

Recently, my doctor told me that as a result of my terminal illness, I would not last for more than four months. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness, having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to an individual with a good heart that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in.

I want you to use this money in all sincerity to fund destitute homes, orphanages and widows. I took this decision because I don't have any child to start from and where I will stop and my husband's relatives are all over me and the money and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by this greedy people. I don't want a situation where this money will be misused hence my decision to take this bold decision. I know that after death I will be with God the most high and the most merciful one. I will give you the contact of my lawyer because he is the one who is going to assist you in making you the beneficiary of the fund in the finance firm.

I will now give him instruction to make you the beneficiary of the funds. I will also issue you a letter of authority through my lawyer that will prove you as the original beneficiary of the funds. I will be needing your prayers. I am hoping you will help me achieve my dream. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another person for the same purpose. Until I hear from you my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders, may the Almighty God continue to guide and protect you Amen.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs. Sarah Al Ghazali

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