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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: "William Simon" <daj_zy@lishui.gov.cn>
Reply-To: <williamsimon001@aim.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:06:41 +0100
Subject: Greetings..Kindly Help!

Dear Beloved

My name is william simon I am an Oil merchant of Oman nationality but presently residing in london.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts.
I have not particularly lived my life so well according to God's will Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and my business was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.
I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore. I want you to help me claim a huge cash deposit of fifty eight million dollars 58,000,000 deposited in a Scurity Vault Company and dispatch it to charity organizations.
Get back to me through my private email:

simon_william61@yahoo.com

Kindly note that I have set aside 20% for you and for your time. God be with you.

bless your heart,
William Simon

Anti-fraud resources: