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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: "MRS.MARY WATER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsmhwater80@info.al>
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:25:16 +0100
Subject: KINDLY TREAT AS URGENT

HELLO MY GOOD FRIEND,
 
I sincerely hope that this mail will not come to you as a surprise or an embarrassment as I receive unsolicited mails sometimes,since we neither knew each other before or have any previous correspondence nor contact. I have been in search of someone who bears the same last name with our late customer,eventually when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am MRS.MARY WATER, a Banker here in LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.
 
One Late MR PETER, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2004 for 36 calendar months, valued at US$12,500,000.00 (Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars).The due date for this deposit contract was the 16th of January 2010. Sadly peter was among the death victims in the May 26,2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end.
 
My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer. Peter did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and Peter was not married and has no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if the Bank Directors happens to know that Peter is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen.
 
That was why when I saw your contact I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/Heir to the account, since you are from the same country with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and me from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already. We shall both share the funds as follows: 40% for me and 50% to you, while 10% will be for Expenses that your Government may require as Tax.
 
Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET so that people will not high-jack this transaction. I have more to write you about the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through this Email address: mrsmhwater80@info.al
Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
MRS MARY WATER
mrsmhwater80@info.al
 

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