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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.Mariam Seko" <mseko81@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs.Mariam Seko" <makconsultancyfirm6@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 15:30:56 -0800 (PST)
Subject: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP NEEDED.

Dear Friend.
 
My name is Mrs. Mariam Seko I have decided to contact you in the name of (God).I am 59 years old and I was made to understand that i am among those that was found wanting for the uncompleted road contract that was awarded to our company before the death of my junior brother (Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua.Who was The former President of Nigeria) Who had left me some of his ASSET he worked for.
 
Due to the fact that i might be called up for questioning by the Government any moment from now. I have decided to contact you for an international business transaction rather than allow my present government to seize all my brother's hard earned funds that he left for me.
 
I have asked God to receive him in peace and I believe he has because He is a merciful God. I decided to deposit the sum of $18,000,000(Eighteen million dollars) to you for a business partnership as to enable me invest abroad mainly in estate and other good business ventures and also to help the motherless and less privilege and the assistance of the widows. Because since my brother with all he has achieved as the two time governor of a state and also a 3 years tenures as a President of the biggest black country in the whole world can die what else are we talking about, so I think one has to be close to God.
 
At the moment I cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact that my movements are monitored and i do not know what will be the outcome of tomorrow's questioning. I have arranged with my counselor he is aware of everything to an extent. Both of you will arrange for the change of ownership of the funds as it is presently in a trunk box deposited in a security company in London, United Kingdom and would only be released to (you).
 
I wish you all the best. Contact my Counselor, Mr.Makanaky Bisala with this specified email(makconsultancyfirm6@hotmail.com) with your full names contact telephone/fax number and your full address and tell him that I have deposited ($18,000,000.00)to you for international business partnership and I have also notified him that I have deposited that amount to you for a specific and good work.
 
I have decided that for your assistance, you will stand to get 20%,then I have 70% then 10% will be mapped out for any expenses that will be incurred in the process of this transaction.
 
NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I don't want anything that will jeopardize my effort.
 
Thanks,
Mrs.Mariam Seko.

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