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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: alice bismack <alicebismack@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 16:38:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR URGENT NEEDED PLEASE


Dear Sir / Madam,
 
I know this letter will come as a surprise to you, but I would like you to give it top consideration so as to help me and my Mother out from our present economic predicament, which the entire family is facing this time around. I am Ms Alice Bismarck, am from Ivory Coast, I lost my Father a couple of month ago in Ivory Coast. My father was a wealthy cocoa merchant in West African. Trouble began early last year, Due to the series of continuous war in our country for multiple years ago, there is this huge amount of Fifteen million, Seven Hundred Thousand United States dollars ($15.700.000 Million US Dollars). Which my late father deposited in Bank of Ghana here before he was assassinated by some unknown rebel military. When my father's opposition parties began suspecting that my father is supporting president Gbagbo,  and he was assassinated on May 2011 by the rebel military. And following the political uprising before his death. He made a deposit in Bank
of Ghana.
 
My mother, who is from Ghana knowing full well that the case of my father is a serious case revealed to me that my father deposited some money in a ''BANK OF GHANA'' She has given me all necessary documents concerning this transaction, and the money involved is Fifteen million, Seven Hundred Thousand United States dollars ($15.700.000 Million US Dollars). My mother said I should search for a reliable foreigner to keep the money because of safety as instructed her by my father. The Bank Manager advised me that I should look for a reliable and trustworthy person who will act as a next of kin to the funds in other for the funds to be transferred to his foreign account.
 
I want you to do me a favor to receive the Money as my late Father foreign associate in oversea in your country, so that I and my mother will come over to your country. We have planes to do investment in your country; this is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist us, indicate your interest in replying soonest, I will offer you 20% of the total money. You can reply me through my E-mail: alicebismack@yahoo.com
 
Best regards.
Ms Alice Bismarck

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