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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: BRIGETTE GUESSON <brigette.guesson@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: brigette_guesson@yahoo.cn
Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 16:34:02 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Miss. Brigette N'guesson





Dear Respectful One,
 
I pray that this email reaches you in the best of health. This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not yet meet. The message could be strange but it's real and you will realised this if you pay some attention to it. I want to notify you about it at least for the sake of your integrity. 
 
I was totally convinced to write you in reference of the transaction of a consignment box of Four million united states dollars (US$4,000,000.) to your country destination for onward investment in a good lucrative business for the benefit of the both of us.
 
I am Miss.Brigette N'guesson. from Ivory coast. I am a student being that I lost my parents a couple of year ago. My father was a  Gold Miner serving director of the Gold exporting board until here in Abidjan, Ivory Coast during his days, It is sad to say that he was poisoned to death in France during one of his business trips abroad for the importation of Gold processing machine on the 14Th of July, 2008.
 
Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his and his college whom travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth. before his death he had a deposit of Four million united states dollars (U,S,D( $4.000,000 ) with a security company here in Ivory coast, i want you to do me a favour to received this funds to a safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary.
 
My mother died when I was just 10 years old, and since then my father took me so special. before his death on the 14Th of July 2008 he called her personal secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told her that he had a sum of (.US$4,000,000.) US dollars ( Four million united states dollars ) which he deposited with a security company here in Abidjan, Ivory Coast as family valuables for security reasons.
 
He also said that the security company does not know the content of the safe Box. he declared it as family valuables and used my name to deposit the Box as his only daughter for next of kin. he also explained to her that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned,
 
That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money to and use it for investment purposes. i want you to assist me in clearing this box from the security company and then transferring the fund inside the box into your account overseas as a beneficiary of the fund, and also use it for an investment purpose.
 
I am just 22 years old and a university undergraduate student and really don't know what to do. now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds. because the death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. Dear, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.
 
Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
1. Can you honestly help me ?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the claiming of the box from the security company? 

Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible,
Thank you so much.
My sincere regards,
Miss. Brigette N'guesson.

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