joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "PETER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <peterv.edgar@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2012 10:07:14 +0530
Subject: My name is Peter Van Edgar, a merchant in Dubai

Dear Friend,

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
believe everyone will die someday.

My name is Peter Van Edgar, a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E.I have
been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer which was discovered very late,
due to my laxity in carrying for my health. It has defiled all forms
of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months to live,
according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared
for anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I
was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on
my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret
all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to
have or make all the money in the world.

I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I
would live my life a different way from how I have lived it.

Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my
properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and
as well as a few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and
accept my soul and so, I have decided to give arms to charity
organizations and give succour and confort to the less priviledged in
our societies, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on
earth.

So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the
U.A.E, United Kingdom and Malaysia. Now that my health has
deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self anymore. I once asked
members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money
which I have there to charity organization and to the less
privileged in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money
to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to
be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of
fourteen million dollars($14m) that I have with a Finance Company for safe keeping.
I will want you to help me collect this
deposit and disburse it to some charity organizations and to the less
privileged.

N/B:Kindly note that 55% of this funds must go to earthquakes victims
in HAITI,CHILE AND Asia victims 30% to other Charity Organizations
around the World and 15% for your effort and time.

I cannot talk with you on the phone due to my health situation, as I
am using my Lap Top Computer to communicate with you. You should
respond to this e-mail via my personal e-mail address: peterv.edgar@gmail.com,
if you are interested in carrying out this assignment on my behalf.
Please, send me a mail to indicate if you will assist me in this disbursement.

I await to hear from you, may God be with you and your entire family.

Remain blessed,
Peter Van Edgar.

Anti-fraud resources: