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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: "HAJIYA TURAI YARADUA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jonodonnald@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:46:44 -0700
Subject: OPEN IMMEDIATELY

My dear I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise since we haven't discused it before, but kindly bear with me at this moment. I have a special reason why I decided to contact you. My situation at hand is miserable but I trust in Almighty and hope you will be of my help. My name is Mrs. Turai Hajiya Yar'Adu the wife of the Late President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Late Umaru Yar'Adua the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who died on the 5th of may 2010. My Husband died after a strong illness of pericarditis. You can read more about my country in the BBC news http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8663824.stm I am constrained to contact you because of my husbands money ($280,000,000 United States Dollars) which only me know about before his death. My Federal Republic of Nigeria pans to steal this money because my husband is no longer on sit since the unexpected death of my husband. I decide to seek for your help in transferring this my late husband's funds $280,000,000 United States Dollars. While I will relocate to your country and settle down with you. I have my husband's evident to prove which I will give you as soon as you indicated your interest to help me out in this matter. Note: Due to the fact that I am very busy at the moment and mourning my late husband, I will want you to contact my lawyer if you are interested in order for him to dicuss the bussiness in proper with you. Kindly send your; Name, Country, and Telephone number to my lawyer Barr.Jonny Festus Keyamo with the following email address (keyamo@festusjkeyamochambers.com) E-Mail: keyamo@festusjkeyamochambers.com You will introduce me in any profitable investment venture which you will recommend to me as have no any idea about foreign investment. I am waiting to read your letter today, Yours Sincerely Mrs. Turai Hajiya Yar'Adua

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