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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: "Ahmed" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rashmed@fastwebmail.it>
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:32:02 +0100
Subject: Dear Beloveth,

Dear Beloved,
 
I send my love and greetings to you. I am Mrs Rashidat Ahmed a British widow to late Hassan Ahmed who was an oil explorer in Kuwait and Brunei for ten years before he died in the year 2007. We were married for ten years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
 
Before his death we were committed to each other and respect each others interest. Since his death, I too have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems, my doctor told me that I have few months to live due to my cancer problem, and this lead to a stroke attack which bothers me most through because I cannot move as I use to. Having known my condition I decided to seek for your help.
 
I am in search of a devoted individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.
When my late Husband was alive he Deposited the sum of $10.5Million (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in a Security finance Company office under my name, the money was deposited as Family Valuables/Treasure for security and family reasons.
 
So if you are willing to help me for this work: 30% of the $10.5Million goes to you to ensure that you are prepared for the task ahead, 60% of it will be used in all sincerity to fund philanthropic organization, orphanages and widows, 10% will be used for expenses in establishing good investment.
 
I am taking this decision because the relatives of my husband have confiscated other of our wealth without giving any to the needy.
 
Based on that I don't want to entrust this fund to any of them, and I have no child, I cannot take the fund to the grave. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in inappropriate manner. Since my health is retrogressing by all minute, so my dear please do get back to me and let me know if you are willing to carry out this work.
 
Then I will make arrangement to prepare the Authorization through an Attorney for you to get Possession of this Fund. As soon as I receive your reply, I will give you the name and contact of the Deposit Security finance Company where the fund is deposited,I pray that this letter bring you and your family good tiding while my dreams to help humanity rest squarely on your shoulders. Do remember me in your prayers because that is what I needed most for now.
 
I sent you this mail under severe pains, any delay in your reply will be detrimental.
 
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you soon.
NAME: __________SURNAME:__________________SEX: _____ AGE: ______MARITAL: COUNTRY: ______CONTACT ADDRESS:
PHONE#_________________OCCUPATION:
 
waiting for you information, reply  me via my private e-mail: rashdmed@fastwebmail.it
 
Regard,
 
Rashidat Ahmed.
 

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