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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS GRACE ROSSMAN" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:40:55 -0000
Subject: SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE

My Dear,

You maybe surprised to receive this message from me since you do not know me in person but for the purpose of introduction, I am MRS GRACE ROSSMAN, the WIFE of late MR DAVID ROSSMAN, who was brutally murdered in a land dispute in ZIMBABWE. I got your contact from SOUTH AFRICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE here in Johannesburg. I decided to contact you because I am in desperate need of your assistance. My late Husband was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agents of the ruling government party (ZANUP) of President ROBERT MUGABE for his alleged support and sympathy for Zimbabwean opposition party, which we communicated to the whole world through BBC and CNN.

Before the death of my Husband, he took me to SOUTH AFRICA with our only son FRANK to deposit the sum of Eighteen Million, Five Hundred Thounsand United States Dollars (US$18.5M) with a Security and Finance company, as if he knew the looming danger in Zimbabwe. The money was deposited as a gem/precious stone to avoid much demurrage from the Security Firm. This money was earmarked for the purchase of new machineries, equipments and chemicals for the farm’s expansion and the establishment of new farms in Lesotho and Swaziland.

This land dispute arose when our Dictator President of Zimbabwe, MR ROBERT MUGABE introduced a New Land Reform Act, which wholly affected the white rich farmers and some few blacks vehemently condemned the ‘MODUS OPERANDI’ adopted by the government, which my Husband was one of the leaders. This resulted to rampant killings and mob actions. I and my son are currently staying in South Africa as REFUGEES SEEKING FOR ASYLUM; I have decided to transfer this money to a foreign country where we can INVEST it. I am faced with the dilemma of investing this amount of money in South Africa for the fear of encountering similar experience in future since the both countries have the same ancestral and political history.

Moreover, the South African monetary policy/law does not allow such investment while still seeking for asylum as refugees. I must let you know that this project is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessarily matter. I and my son have agreed to give you 25% of the total money, 70% will be for me and my son, which we shall invest in your country and the remaining 5%, will be mapped out for all the expenses we shall in cure during the cause of transferring the money to your account overseas.

Therefore, if you are willing and interested to render the needed assistance, endeavor to reply me immediately. we also need your private phone number for easy communication. Please bear in mind that this is highly confidential and the success of this business depends on how secret is kept.

I am expecting your urgent response.

Yours truly,
MRS GRACE ROSSMAN.
(FOR THE FAMILY)

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