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: "MRS.ROSEMARY GRANT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsrosemary@mail.ru>
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 19:03:22 +0200
Subject: Please Use this money for the churches and less privileged.

Sir/Madam,
 
I am Mrs.Rosemary Grant,from Isreal.I am married to late Mr.Thomson Grant,
who worked with the Isreal Embassy in REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN for Twenty-Six
years before he died in the year 2005,after a brief illness that lasted
for only five days.
 
We were married for Eighteen years with a duaghter (Sandra) who later died
in a motor accident.Before the untimely death of my husband,we were both
born again Christians.. Since after his death I decided not to remarry or
get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When
my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (US$1.8 M )(One
Million,Eight hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in a General Trust
Account with a prime bank in Cotonou Republique Du Benin Benin.
Presently,this money is still with the bank.
 
Recently,Following my ill health, my Doctor told me that I may not last
for the next four months due to my cancer problem.The one that disturbs me
most is my stroke sickness.Having known my condition I decided to donate
this fund to a  Christain organization (Church) that will utilize this
money the way I am going to instruct herein,according to the desire of my
late husband before his death.
 
I want this fund to be used in Christain Activities like,Orphanages,
Christain schools, and Churches for propagating  the word of God and to
endeavor that the house of God  is maintained. The Bible made us to
understand that "Blessed is the hand that giveth". I took this decision
because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband
relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husband's efforts to be
used by unbelievers. I don't want a situation where this money will be
used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision.
 
I am not afraid of death  hence I know  where I am going. I know that I am
going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord
will fight my case and I shall hold my peace". I don't need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my
husband's relatives around  me always.I don't want them to know about this
development.With God all things are possible.
 
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank
in Cotonou. I will also issue you the documents that will prove you the
present beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the Church to always pray
for me because the lord is my shephard. My happiness is that I lived a
life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must
serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your
life.
 
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein. Hoping
to receive your reply.
 
Remain blessed in the Lord.
 
Yours in Christ,
MRS.ROSEMARY GRANT

Anti-fraud resources: