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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: "Miss Ldahosa Rita" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ritaidahosa@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:07:35 +0800
Subject: Good day to you,

Good day to you,

Hurry now and claim your fund from South African Reserve Bank or your fund will be confiscated by the wicked officials of the Reserve Bank.

My name is Miss Ldahosa Rita. I am a Computer Scientist working with South African Reserve Bank.

I am 25 years old, just started working with South African Reserve Bank. I came across your file marked X and your released disk painted RED. I took time to study it and tried to find out why the funds were not released to you. Those evil officials can never tell you the truth that they won't release the fund to you; instead they allow you spend your money unnecessarily. I do not intend to work here forever; I can help you claim your fund if you can certify me of my security and assure me that you would settle with me after you must have received your payment.

I must do this because you need to know the status of your payment and cause for the delay. This is like a Mafia setting in banks and you may not understand because you are not here. The only thing needed to release this fund to you is the Original Anti Drug/Terrorist Clearance Certificate, which will be tendered to any of your nominated bank and the Internal Revenue Service IRS for clearance of the transferred amount in your account.

Once the Original Anti Drug/Terrorist Clearance Certificate is cleared, your fund will immediately reflect in your bank. The only authorized and sincere person who will issue you the Original Documents is Mrs. Doreen Dickson. Make sure you indicate your file letter X and tell her its painted color Red so she will be able to recognize your file.

The president made a compensation fund release for all unpaid beneficiaries/contractors. Therefore, you are not going to receive your original initial fund, the compensation fund release bonus will be added to your original fund payment. The whole funds both your initial payment and the compensation payment shall be transferred to your bank account as soon as the Original documents are cleared.

Do get back to me ASAP if you are still interested in claming your fund.
With your DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER THAT IS WORKING.

Please reply to; ritaidahosa@yahoo.com.hk

Yours sincerely,
Miss Ldahosa Rita

Anti-fraud resources: