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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: "Gifty Yak" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 20:44:39 +0100
Subject: MY LAST HOPE.

Gifty.Y.

Hello Dearest,

Good day, Please forgive me if I am a disturbance to you, it’s only that I have something important to discuss with you, kindly go to the below web page; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7380412.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/world/africa/02iht-02sudan.12531389.html?_r=1
Although we have’ nt known each other before. But after going through your profile, I decided to contact you, also from the inspirations that I had from God, i believed that you will not fail me, and that through you, I will get the assistance needed.
However, My name is Miss. Gifty Yak, I am 24years,from Sudan, daughter to late Mr Justin Yak (Adviser for local Government Affairs) After the burial of my father, my uncle conspired and sold my father's properties to one Chinese Expatriate and live nothing for me. One faithful morning, I opened my father's briefcase and found out the documents which he have deposited huge amount of money in one bank with my name as the next of kin. I escaped to Senegal to seek asylum, for my security, because i am not save with my uncle.

I have made contact with the bank where the money is deposited, in their responds, they told me that my father's instruction to the bank was the money to be released to me only when I am married or present a trustee who will help me and invest the money overseas, coupled with the refugee law of Senegal that prevented a refugee from handling anything money. So I am in search of, an honest and reliable person who will help me and stand as my trustee/partner, so that I will present him to the Bank for transfer of the money to his bank account overseas.

Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well, I will say that my mind convinced me that you are the true person to help me. More so, I would like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my uncle have threaten to assassinate me. The amount is $4.5 Million. You will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country. However, you will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies.

As soon as I receive your interest in helping me, I will put things into action immediately, by nominating you officially to the bank; In light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Please do keep this only to yourself. I beg you not to disclose it till I come over because I am afraid of my wicked uncle who has threatened to kill me.

Please if you are interested in assisting me, kindly send me mail through: giftyyak@gmail.com this is my private box.

Yours faithfully
Gifty.Y.

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