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: marybenson28@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 09:40:15 -0300
Subject: Dear good friend .

 
 Dear good friend .
 
I greet you in the name of the Lord .
 
I am Mrs. Mary Benson of Solomon Islands. I am married to Mr. Williams Benson , who worked with our Embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died on August 15, 2010 . We were married for eleven years without a child .
 
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Even before his death we were both born again Christians and have sown into many ministries . Since his death I decided not to remarry , but feeling quite lonely if not the Lord who has been my partner and comforter .
 
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $ 4 million from a bank in Ivory Coast . Presently, this money is still in the custody of the Bank in Ivory Coast . Recently, my doctor told me I would not last for the next six months due to cancer problem . Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church , organization or good person th at will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here .
 
I want a church , organization or good person that will use this fund is to help the orphans , widows and other people that need financial help .
Using part of this money to provide facilities for God's work , taking the gospel to greater height is my biggest reason is to donate this fund . The Bible made ​​us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that grivet and I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this fund .

That is why I am taking this decision . Meanwhile , I am not afraid of death hence I know where I'm going . It is only a sinner who 's death is painful I do not need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me always . I do not want them to know about this development el knows that with God all things are possible .
 
So I receive0A your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank in Ivory Coast . I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you the present beneficiary of this fund .
 
I also want you to always uplift me in prayer .
My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian . Whoever wants to serve the Lord must serve him in truth and faith, " serving him with all you have , knowing that naked we come and naked we must go " Contact me on this e - mail and any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another good person , church , organization for this same purpose . Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here .
 
Hoping to receive your reply immediately.
 
Thanks and remain blessed in the Lord .
 
Your sister in Christ .
 
Mrs. Mary Benson

Anti-fraud resources: