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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. Patricia Ndebele" <patricia.ndebele@hotmail.co.za>
Reply-To: ndebelesolomon@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 18:36:25 -0500
Subject: PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP

Late Martin Ndebeles Refinery Co-operation Company inZimbabwe
 
Hello Dear,
                                                      URGENT FAMILY ASSISTANCE:
 
With due respect, trust and humility, I write to you this proposal, which I believe would be of great interest to you. We found your contact while we were doing a private research for a reliable and capable foreign partner that would assist my family to transfer fund to any personal or private account and for investment purpose. I am Mrs. Patricia Ndebele, the wife of Late Mr. Martin Ndebele who was the "Chairman" of the farmer's co-operation in Zimbabwe.
My husband was among the few blacks that were murdered in cold blood by the President Robert Mugabe during the land dispute that just happened in Zimbabwe years ago. The reason why I need yoururgent assistance is becauseof the sum of US$11.5 Million (Eleven Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only), that we inherited from my late husband, which he deposited in a private security company here inSouth Africa. Before his death he was a very rich farmer and he owned a Sugar Refinery Companyin Zimbabwe before our president ROBERT MUGABES government killed him. If you listen to international news CNN or BBC you will know what is happening in my country Zimbabwe.
We are presently in South Africa as Refugee (Asylum Seekers) and as such, the law of South Africa does not permit us to operate or open any bank account here in South Africa or to be involved in any financial transaction with banks or security companies. For this reason we are appealing to you to help us for release of the fund from the security company and transfer into your bank account in your country.  We shall compensate you with 25% of the total fund for your assistance and another 10% will be given to you immediately the transaction is completed to cover all your expenses.
 
Contact my son Mr. Solomon Ndebele on this email address (ndebelesolomon@gmail.com) for further information.
 
Best regard.                                                   
  Mrs. Patricia Ndebele
  (For The Family)

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