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: Mercy Adoh <mercyadoh1@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2012 04:39:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I'm very happy to meet you,


Dear Sir,

Daddy,

 

My name is Mercy Adoh, I
am 22 years old girl from Accra Ghana.
I want to have a common relationship with you, I need to tell you more
things, but first I need your help to Stand for me as a trustee. My father
late Chief Richard Adoh was a businessman before his death on Jul 03,
2009.Some months after the death of my father, two of my uncles conspired
against me and sold my father's properties to a Chinese businessman all
because I am a girl.





After many weeks, I opened my father's briefcase and saw some documents which
my late father used and deposited money in a Bank here in Accra Ghana with my
name as the next of kin. I have tried to withdraw the money so that I can
start a better life and take care of myself.The Branch manager of the Bank
whom I met in person told me that my present status does not permit me by the
local laws to clear money or make a transfer of money into an account.He
advised me to provide a trustee who will help me and invest the money or I
should wait till when I will be 26 years old according to the law of Ghana.





I have chosen to contact you and would like you to take me as your own blood
and help me. I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to
relocate to your country because my uncle has threatened to kill me.The
amount is Six Million five hundred thousand US Dollars ($6,500,000.00) and I
have confirmed it from the bank.You will help me to place the money in a more
profitable business investment in your Country.You will also help by getting
a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies.It is my
intention to compensate you with 30% of the total money for your services and
the balance shall be my capital in your establishment.



As soon as I receive your interest in helping me, I will put things into
action immediately.In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent
message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction
sincerely.Please do keep this only to your self. I beg you not to disclose it
to anyone until I come over to your country  because I am afraid of my
wicked uncle who has threatened to kill me.



 

Sincerely yours

 

Mercy Adoh

Anti-fraud resources: