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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: MISS CECILIA <miss.cecilia@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: miss.cecilia@rediffmail.com
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 19:59:20 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Miss Cecilia,



From Miss Cecilia,
 
Dear Respectful,
 
I am aware that this is not a formal approach in starting a relationship, but as time goes on, you will realize the need for my approach.  My email to you will come as a surprise since I don't know you in person. But if this message comes to you out of your wish, I am very sorry.  I hope that you will read through this email and understand how difficult things can be for someone in a particular period in life.
 
I introduce myself to you with all faith, trust and hope you will understand to assist me not to betray me at the end. My name is Cecilia I am now 18years old, I was a student in the University of Abidjan Ivory Coast here in West Africa.  I am the only daughter of late Chief David Dranugo, Some rebel from one part of the government struck our township and killed my parents and my only brother because my father was one of the oppositions to the former president of my country.
 
And before his death he has the sum of 5,000.000 Million Euros (Five million Euros.) in an account with a bank in Switzerland which I am the next of kin. My dad has planned to purchase and import some cocoa processing machines and the development of another factory. Unfortunately he did not meet his target before his untimely death. The reason why I contacted you for help is due to the agreement my late father had with the bank during the deposit. 
 
I have been denied access to withdraw the money from the bank. The bank manager told me precisely that the money was deposited in a suspense fixed account with a clause attached to it for onward transfer into a foreign bank account. I have tried all I could, but the bank manager advised me to look for a foreign account where the money can be transferred into before I can have access to it.
 
 Since security here cannot be guaranteed, besides I’ve lost my family and my father's company was burnt down in that rebel attack.  Right now I am in great sufferings and difficulty because I have spent all the money I have with me.  I have suffered in so much pain since I lost my family. So I have decided to go out of this country and invest in your country if you will help me.
 
Please, if you will help me realize this transfer and get me out of this pain, you will have 30% of the total money as compensation for your effort.   Remain bless as I look forward to hear from you with this information’s as follows, for further instruction on how to proceed.
 
Name …... Age…… Nationality……….. Fax….............  Telephone……Private Email....................
 
Yours Sincerely
Miss  Cecilia.

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