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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: "Ms Hazira Riaz." <hazira_riaz@live.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 12:16:55 -0000 (GMT)
Subject:




Ms Hazira Riaz,
Bristol,United Kingdom

I am Ms Hazira Riaz, I wish to seek for your assistance in a financial
transaction, however, is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you
to honor my request against your will. Your profile pushed me to send you
this mail, I’m the daughter of late Dr. and Mrs. Ahmed Riaz. My father
was a highly reputable business man (supplier of agro allied material and
general merchandise) he operated in the middle east during his days. It is
sad to say that he passed away in one of his trips to the UK. Although
his death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by one
of our uncles who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the
truth! My mother died when I was a little girl, and since then my father
took me so special. Before his death in 2008, he told me about a safe he
concealed the sum of eighteen million United State Dollars.($18,000,000.00
USD) deposited with a large investment & Security Firm in Asia.

The safe was disguised & declared as Family Personal Belongings instead of
the real content money, by this way the company does not know the true
content of the safe as money but family personal belongings. I have in my
possession the deposit Receipt which the company gave to my late father on
the day he made the deposit with the security firm in Asia. I really don't
know what to do than to seek your assistance in claiming these funds on my
behalf.

I have been through a lot of hard times here in London, hidden for my
life. The death of my father has brought sorrows to my life. I am in a
sincere desire of your assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and
ideas will be highly appreciated. Will you permit me to ask these few
questions:-

1. Can you honestly and willingly help me in this transaction?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money gets in your possession?

Please, read through and kindly get back to me as soon as
possible.Email:hazira_riaz@live.com

Thank you so much.

My sincere regards,
Ms Hazira Riaz.

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