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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: <mabacha776@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 01:13:11 -0700
Subject:


Dear Sir It is with heart full of hope that I write to seek your help in
the context below. I am Mrs. Munirat Abacha the second wife of the
former Nigeria head of state, late general Sani Abacha, whose sudden
death occurred on 8th of June 1998. Having gotten your particulars from
the family library, I have no doubt about your capacity and good will to
assist us in receiving into your custody (for safety) the sum of US$65
Million willed and deposited in my favour by my late husband, plus 24
carat gold dust worth USD15M.The money and the gold is currently kept in
financial institution as required in the administration of my late
husband's Will which is under the authority of the family lawyer. Since
assumption of democratic setting in Nigeria,panel of inquiry has been
set up to probe the financial activities of my late husband (former head
of state) and other military personnel's, with the aim to frozen all
assets and valuable, which they have succeeded in some places except
this very fund the is directly linked to our Lawyer. The investigation
teams have tried all angles to bring us down as masterminded by the
Presidency and also submitted their report which triggered the detention
of my son severally. Fortunately, our family lawyer had secretly
protected the personal will of my husband from the notice of the
investigations and have strictly advised that this particular fund
should be urgently secured with a different name in any oversea account
of a trusted foreign contact without delay,considering the rate at which
this government is frustrating my family. Moreso, my son's political
intentions is really getting the government worried hence the reason for
recent investigation. for security reasons. The government had earlier
placed foreign travel embargo on all our business empire which we are
dealing in the court of Law . The situation has been so terrible that we
do not know who to trust among our friends and relative whom we
suspected have sold us out to the Government in the course for political
position,hence my contact to you and i expect your trustworthy and kind
gesture to respond to this call and save me and my family.I hereby agree
to compensate your sincere and candid effort (s) as soon as the fund is
finally domiciled and received by you. The attorney shall perfect all
the vital arrangements for a successful transmission of this money to
your custody.Kindly respond to me via email. Regards, Mrs. Munirat
Abacha

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