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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: miriammotley4christ@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:09:17 +0200
Subject: Dear Beloved
Dear Beloved,
I am Mrs Miriam motley from Singapore, .I was married to late Engr. Fred
Motley, who worked with Shell Development Company for Twenty-Six years before
he died in the year 2005 after a brief illness that lasted for only five days.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$18.5 M in a firm
here. Following my ill health(Cancer of the Lungs), my Doctor told me that I may
not live longer than required due to my health condition.I am looking forward to
seeing someone who can use this money in charitable works. More details will be
made known to you upon your response.
May God Bless You.
Miriam motley
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Anti-fraud resources:
