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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: Maceline Brown <macelinebrown@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: macelinebrown@hotmail.fr
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:08:48 -0800 (PST)
Subject: (Regards) from Maceline Brown


Dearest,

I am Miss Maceline Brown, the only daughter of late Mr. and Mrs. Calistus Brown. My father was a very wealthy timber and cocoa merchant in Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, my father was killed by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip during the recent political crisis in our country between our former President Laurent Gbagbo and the new president Alassane Ouattara. My mother died when I was a baby. Before the death of my father, he has the sum of $3.5m (Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) left in fixed / suspense account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan, that he used my name as his only daughter for the next of kin in depositing of the fund. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was killed by his business associates. I am seeking your assistance in receiving this money and use it for investments on my behalf and to serve as a guardian of the investments, you will
also help me make arrangement for me to come over to further my education.   Moreover am willing to offer you 30% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/ input after the successful transfer of this money into your nominated account and the remaining 70% will be for investment purposes which you take care for me until i finish my studies over there. Furthermore, you indicate your kind assistance towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within seven (7) days you signify interest to assist me.  

Anticipating hearing from you soon. 

 Yours Faithfully,
Maceline


 

Anti-fraud resources: