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: AKAO NATHAN <akao.nathan1@btinternet.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:55:41 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: TO YOUR GOOD WISHES EXPRESSED:Akao Nathan



HELLO
 
My name is Akao Nathan , and
here is my story.
 
I come from a family of Ivorian father and
mother in Haiti.
we lived together in Cote d'Ivoire, or my mother has
expanded its reputation as a businesswoman.

And as every two (2) years my family and me we go to Haiti for a
stay that may last up to one (1) month. But this time prevented by a medical
examination, my parents flew to Haiti without me. And three (3) weeks after they
arrived Haiti was hit by a natural disaster and the following of that I learned
from the Haitian authorities that all my parents have perished in this tragic
event except my mother.
 
My mother's hospital bed informed me that she
had made a deposit of 24.8 million U.S. dollars, with interest expected in a
bank in Cote d'Ivoire. Given that all my immediate family is gone in this
tragedy and my mother before she died have told me also that his wife's family
is very obsessed by money and that I myself was wary;
 
That is why with
tears in his eyes, after a thousand and reflection and with all the hope I have
left, I turn to you to implore your help.
 
For I must find a legal
guardian who will contact the bank that the funds be transferred to him on his
behalf, then I will join you in your country to continue my etudes.parceque one
thing that my heart was a mother was to see me finish my study (for her studies
and knowledge are the key to success in this world).
 
I would also tell
you that this money could be invested in the area of your choice to view it is
reliable.
All I want now is that this is done quickly so I could get away,
very far from this family and especially hypocritical that this country is
experiencing political turmoil that hard for some time. 
   

Help me because I really need.
With all my troubles, all my respects the
most distinguished regard to your
May God bless you
 
Akao Nathan

Anti-fraud resources: