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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 Scott" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <scottsamantha2000@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2013 23:58:24 -0800
Subject: Bless You My Dear,

Bless You My Dear,
 
I am Mrs.Samantha Scott, age 73 years old,i am the wife of late Mr. Robert Scott,  i got your contact from my late husband diary,we are both from United State Of America, my husband worked with the Oil and Gas Company Chevron/Texaco in Africa for twenty years before he died after he was release from the kidnappers,We were married for Forty-five years without a child.
 
My Husband died after a brief illness that lasted only four days after he was release from the kidnappers. When my late husband was alive he made a fixed deposit sum of US $15.5 million with BARCLAYS BANK UK, Presently this deposit has been matured for some time and is still with the Bank, the management has been sending me emails to come over for the release of this money or rather issue! somebody a power of an attorney to received the money on my behalf as the next of kin.because about a week ago, I received a letter suggesting a likely proceeding for the confiscation of this deposit by the Government in line with the existing laws of the land.
 
I'm in a hospital in Netherlands where I have been undergoing treatment for cancer of the breast and Pneumonia. I have since lost my ability to talk and my doctor told me that I have only a few weeks to live. My dear It is my last wish to see this money distributed to charity organizations and people that are in need of help anywhere in the World, I'm contacting you to help me receive this funds and use it for my wishes ,Pleas i need your information so i can forward it to the Bank to let them know i want my funds release to you,Your Name, Your Address, and Your Phone Number as the bank has requested.
 
Bless you as i hope to read from you soon.
 
Yours in Christ,
 
Mrs.Samantha Scott

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