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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: "Mrs. Samantha Allen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <samanthallen2012@bancarios.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 10:44:02 -0700
Subject: Bless You My Dear,

Bless You My Dear,
 
 
 
I am Mrs.Samantha Allen, age 53 years old, I am the wife of late Mr. Reuben  Allen, which I got your information from his diary, and we are both from United States Of America, my husband was an expert rate, working with the Oil and Gas Company Chevron/Texaco in Nigeria [AFRICA] for Thirty Five years .My husband was kidnapped by some militant in the Niger Delta region and the Nigeria Government paid over $1Million for his release. We were married for over thirty-five years without a child. But before his death we were both born again Christians.
 
 
 
My Husband died after a brief illness that lasted only four days after he was released by those kidnappers in Nigeria. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of GBP25.5million only. With the Barclays Bank PLC London, Presently this money is still with the Bank, and the management has been sending me emails to come over for the Release of this money or rather issue a POWER OF ATTORNEY to somebody to receive it on my behalf.
 
 
 
Note that, In accordance with the British Laws, at the expiration of 6 (six) years, the investments with the Financial Trust shall revert to ownership of the Government, if nobody applies as the next of kin to the investments. About a week ago, I received a letter suggesting a likely proceeding for the confiscation of this deposit in line with the existing laws.
 
 
 
I'm in a hospital right here in Netherland where I have been undergoing treatment for cancer of the breast and Pneumonia. I have since lost my ability to walk and my doctors have told me that I have only a few months to live. It is my last wish and that of my husband to see this money distributed to charity organizations and people that are in need of help anywhere in the World, That is why I am contacted you to help me receive this funds.
 
 
 
Bless you, as i hope to read from you soon.
 
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Samantha  Allen

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