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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: "Maria Sara" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Maria.Sara@aggies.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:59:49 -0700
Subject: From Maria Sara

Attention Sir/Madam
 
I apologize if this mail message does not suit your personal or business ethics. I write with sincerity to seek your cooperation and assistance. I am writing from my hospital here in london with my laptop and would need no telephone conversation to this effect because of my health problem. I am Maria Sarah. I was married to Late Mr. Mohammad Akin who worked with Philippine Embassy in U.K before his death in 2005. We were married for eleven years without a child. However, before his death we were both born again Christians and Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited (Thirteen Million, five hundred thousand US Dollars) in a Security Asset Management Company.
He deposited the fund as family treasure in the security firm for safe keeping, however he
did not declare the real content of the deposit to the security firm rather he deposited it
as family treasure. My intentions were to clear the fund from the security company at the
middle of year 2008 for investment outside the country. Unfortunately i developed a heart
disease, my condition is not getting better anymore and I have decided to look for a
foreigner who can invest this fund the way I am going to instruct herein ,However I want a Trustworthy, reliable and God fearing Man or Woman that will utilize this fund judiciously.
First i would want you to assure me that you would handle this project diligently as i would recommend. Having said this i would need the following information’s from you
(1) your full name and address.
(2) Your marital status
(3)your occupation/Profession/Direct phone number
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the security company where the fund was deposited as i have all the relevant documents .
My lawyer would also assist and guide you in every process related to the fund through a
suitable means that will guarantee smooth transferring of the fund for the purpose of
investment in your country. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated
herein. I wish to receive your response immediately. And please pray for me.
I remain yours,
Sincerely
Maria Sara
 

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