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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: AISHA HAIFA <aisha.haifa@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: aisha0haifa@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 22:39:08 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My Dearest,


  My Dearest,
 
I am writing this mail to you With due respect trust and humanity, i appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business , honestly i am writing this email to you with pains, tears and sorrow from my heart, i will really like to have a good relationship with you and i have a special reason why i decided to contact you, i decided to contact you due to the urgency of my situation, My name is Miss. Aisha  Haifa, 20yrs old female and I from Cote'd'ivoire  in  east Africa. My Mother was a wealthy farmer from Cote'd'ivoire . Before the death of my mother on October 2006 in a private hospital here in Cote d'ivoire where she was admitted,
 
After the burial of my mother, and my uncle conspired and sold my mother's property to an  Expertrate which they shared the money among themselves and live nothing for me. One faithful morning, I opened my mother's briefcase and found out the documents which he have deposited huge amount of money in one bank here in Cote'd'ivoire with my name as the next of kin.i go to the bank  to withdraw the money for a better life so that I can take care of myself and start a new life, on my own,
 
the Bank Director whom I met in person told me that my mother, instruction to the bank is that the money would only be release to me when I am married or present a trust who will help me and invest the money overseas. I am in search of an honest and reliable person who will help me and stand as my trust so that I will present him to the Bank for transfer of the money to his bank account overseas..
 
I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well I will say that my mind convinced me that you may be the true person to help me. Moreover, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because  i have threatened to assinate me. The amount is( $8.5 USD )Million United State Dollars, and I have confirmed from the bank here in cote d ivoire on my arrival, You will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country However,
 
you will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies. It is my intention to compensate you with 20% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Awaiting your urgent and positive response. Please do keep this only to your self for now until the bank transfer the fund. I beg you not   to disclose it till i come over because I am afraid of my wreaked uncle who has threatened to kill me and have the money alone ,
 
where my mother deposited these money with my name as the next of Kin. I have the documents for the claims.
 
Yours Sincerely Miss  Aisha Haifa.

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