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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: DORA WILLIAMS <dora.williams7@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: dora_williamsci@rocketmail.com
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 12:05:28 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dearest Respectful One,




Dearest Respectful One,

It's my pleasure to inform you for a business venture which I intend to establish in your country. Though we have not met before but I strongly believe that one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.

I am Miss Dora Williams, the only daughter of late Mr & Mrs George Williams. My father was a very wealthy Cocoa and Timber merchant in Abidjan , the economic capital of Ivory coast, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip .

My mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my father resently in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that, there is this amount of Fourteen Million U.S Dollars (U$14,000,000.00) which he deposited in one of the prime banks here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire before he was poisoned by some unknown hoodlums.

He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where i will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose such as:Real estate management, Hotel management or Petroleum company.

My Dear, I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways: (1) To create an account into which this money would be transferred to .(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am still in a tender age to invest this kind of money.(3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and to secure a resident permit in your country.

My Dear I have agreed to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/ input after the successful conclusion of this affair.
Furthermore, you indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within fourteen (14) days you signify interest to assist me.
Anticipating to hear from you soon, to enable me give you more details concerning transaction. Extend my warmest regards to your entire family.

Best regards,
Dora

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