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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. Anne Harrison" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.anneharriss@yandex.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 17:44:02 -0600
Subject: Re: Please can you?

Hello dear,
 
I am Mrs. Anne Harrison, a native of France, I am 58 years old. I am suffering from protracted cancer of the lungs which has also affected part of my brain cells due to complications. From all indication, my condition has deteriorated and it is quite obvious according to my doctors that I may not live for the next couple of months, because my condition has gotten to a critical and life threatening stage. Sequel to the unfortunate and shocking demise of my priceless husband, I decided as a rule not to re-marry  when my cancer ailment became terminal & more so because I do not have a next of kin to bequeath all that Harrison  & I labored for. I sold off all our choice properties and deposited the proceeds amounting to USD$10,000,000.00 (TEN MILLION DOLLARS ONLY) with a London Bank.
 
Meanwhile, the management of the bank just wrote me as the sole owner because of the unserviceable status of the fund and suggested to me in a 2 paragraph statement to issue a letter of authorization to someone who can manage the fund on my behalf. I am presently at the intensive care unit of a Benin hospital, located at Cotonou West Africa.   In view of this, I need your assistance to retrieve and distribute this money to orphanage homes, less-privilege and widows in any part of the world that your hand could reach.  I took this decision because I do not have any child or family that can inherit the funds when am gone.  In appreciation, you shall take 25% out of the total money for your assistance, and also use the balance for the project as I have instructed.  Immediately I hearing from you, I shall give you letter of authority (Power of attorney) that will establish you as my legal beneficiary in receiving the without delay.  I look forward to your response if interested.  
Thanks a lot and God Bless you.
 
I wait to hearing from you ok.
Sincerely.
Mrs. Anne Harrison

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