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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. Aysar Mahjob" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <irdi3@mail.kz>
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:46:19 +0800
Subject: URGENT: Can you assist me?

Sir,
 
Its with a very desperate need for assistance that I have summed up courage to contact you. I am Mrs. Aysar Mahjob from Iraq and I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $15 Million US Dollars to your country for safe keeping and investment. This money is not stolen and there are no dangers involved.
 
SOURCE OF MONEY:
 
When the allied forces invaded Iraq in 2003 to ouster President Sadam Hussein, my husband worked for the US Army as an interpreter & US Army patrol guide in Iraq. During one of such patrols, some money in various currencies was discovered concealed in barrels with piles of weapons and ammunitions at a location near one of Saddam Hussein old palaces.
 
It was agreed by all party present that the money be shared and the above figure was given to my husband as his own share, and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for us. With the help of a British contact working here in Iraq whose office enjoys diplomatic immunity; my husband was able to get the consignment package out of Iraq to a safe location abroad as the real contents of the package was kept secret.
 
Unfortunately, my husband and my only son where killed when a suicide bomber attacked our home due to my husband involvement with the US Army. I survived with injuries and I am currently in hiding which has prompted me to reach out for help so I can be able to relocate abroad.
 
Now that the war in Iraq is over, I have contacted the storage holding the deposit and I have being asked to come forward to take delivery of the said deposit. I do not have the ability to travel abroad necessary to collect the $15 Million US Dollars.
 
Therefore, I need your partnership so I can introduce you as my representative to the Agent officer in the storage/vault so that you can travel down to meet with the Agent officer and finalize the release of the deposit to you, transfer the $15 Million US Dollars into an account in your name and thereafter, help me relocate to your country where I intend to start a new life.
 
In addition, you will help me with Investment & Management of the $15 Million US Dollars. Be rest assured that this transaction is risk free as no person is aware of this money held in a vault. You will be adequately compensated for your help.
 
Expecting your urgent reply.
 
Cordially,
 
Mrs. Aysar Mahjob.
 

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