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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "HAJIA MARYAM ABACHA (MRS)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info1@zenith-itb.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2013 05:31:08 -0800
Subject: FROM: MRS. MARYAM ABACHA

FROM:    MRS. MARYAM ABACHA
 
ATTN: THE PRESIDENT/C.E.O./MANAGING DIRECTOR
 
I am Mrs. Maryam Abacha, the widow of the Late Gen.Sanni Abacha former Nigerian Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac Arrest.
Since after my husband's death my family is under restriction of movement and that not withstanding, we are being molested, policed and our Bank Account both here and abroad are being frozen by the Nigerian Civilian Government.  Furthermore, my elder son Mohammed is in
detention by the Nigerian Government for more interrogation about my husband's assets and some vital documents.
 
Following the recent discovery of my husband's Bank Account by the Nigerian Government with Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of US$700 MILLION and DM 450 Million was logged. I therefore decided to contact you in confidence that I was able to move out the sum of
US$30 Million Dollars, which was secretly defaced and is sealed in two Metal Boxes for security reasons.
 
I therefore personally, appeal to you seriously and religiously for your urgent assistance to move this money into your country where I believe it will be safe since I cannot leave the country due to the restriction of movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigerian Government.
 
You can contact me through my family ATTORNEY: CHIEF BARRISTER MUSA DANLADI on  his e.mail address,info1@zenith-itb.com,And my lawyer shall arrange with you for a face to face meeting outside Nigeria in order to liaise with you toward effective completion of this transaction.
 
However, arrangements have been put in place to move this money out of the country in a secret vault through a diplomatic security company , and as soon as you indicate your interest forward to my Lawyer your TELEPHONE NO:,FAX NO: and your postal address so that he shall send  to you the Air-Way Bill of the Luggage and other related documents so that you can help to claim the Luggage.
 
Conclusively, we have agreed to offer you 40% of the total sum while 60% is to be held on trust by you until we can decide on a suitable business investment in your country subsequent to our free movement by the Nigerian Government. Please reply urgently and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity
 
Best Regards.
HAJIA MARYAM ABACHA (MRS)

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