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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: "Theresa Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <theresaxxsmith2@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:57:29 +0100
Subject: Attn, Beloved

My dear
Please do not be offended on how this mail gets to you, I got your email Via world on-line in e-mail data on my search for a Reliable individual who will assist me.
My name is Theresa Smith, 18 years old, a native of Republic of Chad, the only surviving daughter of Dr.Robert Smith late committee chairman of Iron ore of the ministry of natural resources  and environment Chad.My father was black while my mother was a native of Costa Rica, South American. I lost them in March, 2009, in the on going war in the federal republic of Chad in which millions of Chad'scitizens died.
Before the death of my parents, my late father revealed to me that he deposited the sum of ($15 million dollars) in a high security company in Cotonou, Benin Republic of West Africa and he approved me as the next of kin and beneficiary. Please, I want you to note that the security company in Cotonou Benin Republic does not know the contents of the big trunk boxes, because my late father did not disclose the contents to them for security reasons. He deposited it as family treasure and geographical instruments when the war was going on in my country,before the aggrieved rebels attacked my parents; I was able to escape through the underground tunnel with the certified documents.
Though, mylate father left an instruction to the security company to only allow the trunk boxes to be released to his foreign business partner. After his death l went to Cotonou, Benin Republic with the documents which he gave to me and confirmed.
Now, that,the condition is like this, After the death of my parents, I came to this country to search for a foreign partner to help me retrieve the consignments from the security company and also help me relocate to your country and investin real estate and industrial productions. I have the certificate of deposit consignment with me and I am the only daughter and beneficiary. I was a medical student in the university until the war broke out in my country.
Therefore l will like you to assist me by coming to - Cotonou, Benn Republic in West Africa to sign out  this fund from the SECURITY COMPANY as my late father's foreign business partner, hence i could not found his business partners or you can appoint a lawyer to assist you in this regard. l have decided to give you 20% of the money,5% will be for any expenses that may incure during the process including airfare’s, Hotel accommodation etc. while 75% will be investments.
All documents as regards to this transaction will be sent to you as soon as you indicate your interest in assisting me.
Please, get back to me immediately as soon as you show interest.
Best Wishes,
Theresa Smith

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