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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: habiwanj@worldglobal.org
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2012 23:25:22 -0400
Subject: INVESTMENT NEGOTIATION.

Dear Beloved,

INVESTMENT NEGOTIATION.

With due respect and humility I send you this letter. Please I indeed
sorry bothering you, Permit me a brief introduction, I believe on the
basis of my introduction you would understand the purpose of this letter.
I decided to contact you after my brief research through your country’s
information directory. I am Mr. Habib Wanko the son of the former Deputy
Defense Minister in my Country ( Sierra Leone ) who was assassinated
during the Civil War in Sierra Leone .

I have decided to arrange with you for the possible investment of some
FUND $15.5M ( Fifteen Million Five hundred thousand united states American
Dollars ) which happens to be the FUND sent to my Country through my late
Father as the Deputy Defense Minister for the purchase of ARMS &
AMMUNITION during the civil War But he was Assassinated before the
purchase . (Pls this is Secret).

This FUND has been deposited with the DIPPLOMATIC SECURITY TRUST FIRM
abroad by my father, as Family Treasure / Personal Effect. It was
deposited under my name as the Next of Kin to my Dad, we therefore now
decided to arrange an investment of this FUND outside my Country (Sierra
Leone ) according to the instruction of my Dad before his death.

I am therefore seeking your assistance to help us in investing this FUND
in your country, I and my mother have agreed that if you can act as the
beneficiary and assist us in re-transferring out the funds from the
Security Firm, you will receive 20% of the total sum or go into
partnership with the Family. Do not hesitate to reply when you find it
necessary that you can be of good help to us.

Kindly reach me through my personal email habiwan@yahoo.com pls this is
very urgent.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Habib Wanko


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