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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: "Angelina Carter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <angelinacrter1@live.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:30:51 +0300
Subject: Private Message from Angelina Carter

Dear Friend,

I apologize if the content of this e-mail is against your moral belief.
Nevertheless,i will advise you pay close attention to the information i am about to divulge
to you with utmost confidentiality. You might probably think this is just another
scam or scheme, but i assure you that you can only know the truth if you read
carefully the content herein.

My name is Angelina Carter presently in Europe for medical treatment. I was
hospitalized and bed ridden after a ghastly auto accident involving my entire
family on our way back from camping in Canne, South of France. Myself and
husband survived with major injuries. But, he died one week after the accident
as a result the injuries sustained in his brain. Moreso, the doctor has informed
me that my health condition is getting worse.

This is as a result of the head injuries i sustained from the accident which has
affected my brain and caused a major damage to my spinal cord. I am told that i
have a few months to live after a series of surgeries and tests had being
conducted. Knowing this sad development, i have decided to dispose our estate
and fund to a prudent and God fearing person; who will disburse the money
wisely for the work of charity and other ventures as he deems fit.

This decision is based on the fact that i am the only surviving person in my
family, with no extended relatives to inherit these properties. I hate to think
that the bank and security firm where we have these assets lodged will confiscate
and declare it unserviceable after my death; Hence, my reason for this bold
decision. Although, i am a stranger to you and for all you know i could be just
another of those Internet con-artists. However, i will implore you to respond to
this e-mail with a clear conscience and "opened-eye" every step of the way until
these funds are successfully in your possession. All that you are required to do
is assist in safe-keeping this fund valued at US $25.5 Million United States
Dollars deposited in an Escrow account with a security consultancy firm in Madrid,Spain,
before it gets confiscated or declared un-serviceable.


Therefore, i seek your consent to present you as the Trustee/ForeignInvestor to
my late husband, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.
I have all the necessary information, guidelines and documents given to me by
my husband before his death. Your honest and full co-operation is all that is
required to enable us see this transaction through. But it is imminent I state
to you clearly now that this transaction will be executed through normal banking
proceedings. Although, i guarantee that this will be executed under a proper
arrangement that will be sternly monitored by me every step of the way.

I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality and discreetness in this matter
until the task is accomplished, as i do not want anything that will Jeopardize this
transaction. I know i have never met you in person, but my intuition tells me to
do this, and I hope you act sincerely. Note that, 30% of the total fund will be
given to you and family upon the successful release of this fund, And the rest
should be used in charitable work because I am now too weak and fragile to do
things myself.

Please, include your full name, resident address and phone numbers when
responding to this e-mail.

My best regards to your family,
Angelina Carter

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