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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: "peculiar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnphil@freeukisp.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:48:16 +0100
Subject: [?? Probable Spam]
Beloved in Christ, peculiar

Beloved in Christ, peculiar

It is a privilege to hear from God and it gives me joy to relate my testimony to you having received instruction from God through divine revelation. I was a Muslim and a retired military top officer in Nigerian Army that served under the past military regime. I was the financial secretary to the Armed Force Ruling Council (AFRC).With my position as a financial secretary, I was able to divert up to $45,000,000.00 (Forty Five million U.S Dollars, into my personal Bank Account, hoping to invest the money when I'm retired.

Immediately I got retired, I was converted from Moslem to Christian when I was preached the words of God through my cousin Pastor Peters Nwanze. I then gave my life to Christ and became a born again Christian. Since I gave my life to Christ, I had no rest of mind. Sometimes I think of the souls I killed when I was a soldier and the dubious ways I diverted my country's money into my Personal Bank Account.

I then decided to seek the face of God for forgiveness and after fasting and prayer through Divine Revelation, the Almighty God revealed to me that the only way I could have rest of mind is when I used all my money to do the work of God. I immediately disclosed my revelation to my Pastor and he was happy with me. I have been thinking of the particular thing to do for my God before this present civilian president of my country set up the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Bank Account of the past Military officers like me. Instead of loosing this money to my government, I quickly withdrew my money out of my Account and deposited the money in a finance and security company for safety.


My lawyer has advised me to move out of the country with the money to sow it into a ministry abroad. I have decided to sow this money into ministry. I need a God fearing person that will utilize this fund for things to glorify God. Mostly to give to orphans and the Nations affected With natural disasters. I am making arrangement to come over to your country but you need to receive this money from the finance and security company in cash before I come over.

The cash has been packaged by the security company in consignments and ready for shipment but the security company requires the address of the receiver. Please send to me your names, address email and your telephone number where you can be reached for the delivery of the consignment containing the fund. I will be coming over with my family for thanksgiving as soon as I sent out this money to you. Please act fast because I don't want the EFCC to know that I want to leave the country, they might suspect my intention to leave now that the investigation is going on.

I look forward to your response God bless you.

John PHIL

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