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: Maryann Doggett <maryanndogget@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 19:49:29 +0430
Subject: HELLO DEAR

My name is Maryann Donzo from Ghana Gold Coast Area. I'm the only daughter
of the late Eng. Donzo who was assassinated by unknowing gun man when
coming back from our au gold mining company in 2010. Not too long after my
father untimely death, his relatives started fighting me over his wealth.
My right/property/company of my late Daddy has been taken away from me by
my relative in the name of tradition and how I'm been treated has made me
to understand that my father was murdered by his brothers, just to inherit
things of the Earth.

Sometimes life hits with unexpected things that take us by surprise, Since
they sized my access of getting money, I find it difficult to take care of
my self. They treated me badly because I'm the only biological child of my
late father. But they did not know that my father have statement of account
in my name as the next of kin to his cash deposit. So since that long time
my father die I keep this statement of account and never show it to any
body and I have never tell any one about this because I want to be sure who
to open up about my life story, as I desire to stay far away from this
country since they stop me from school.

Meanwhile am telling you this now because you leave far from Ghana and
elder person to take care of me and also show me love. The last Money which
non of my family was aware of, is a cash deposit sum of $4,000,000.00 (Four
Million United State Dollars) in the Bank in 2009. I take the information I
see in the file of my late father to reach the bank manager, just to be
sure before disclosing this to you. I confirmed that my late father have
funds valued US$6 Million Cash in the bank. The fund is presently under
safe keeping custody in the bank before his sudden death. In my inquiring,
the manager ask me to bring my elder brother or a foreign partner who will
be the eyes witness of the release or to stand for the claim b/c of my age.
A partner whom can take care of the money for me if i don't want to
introduce my family members as was written and documented by my late
Father. Please don't abandon me b/c of my religion, I have made up my mind
to submit to yours hence you are a caring person.

I want you to help me and stand for my claim, I'm ready to give you 15% of
the total money if you can assist me and will like to follow your advice to
re-invest my 85% in any profitable business in your country. I want to
complete my studies in your country if you help me. Please keep it for your
self and let me know if you will assist me.

Yours Faithfully
Maryann Donzo

Anti-fraud resources: