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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. Maureen S. Anoruo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <linlwq2@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 10:50:16 -0700
Subject: Kindest Attention

Kindest Attention,
 
My name is Mrs. Maureen S. Anoruo, wife of late Mr. Paul Anoruo, a British citizen. I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical Treatment and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts.
 
As my faith lays on the edge now, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as few close friends. I have decided to give alms to charity organizations and those in need. I want this to be one of the last good deeds I will do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organization when I was fine. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.
 
I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money to charity organization in the United States, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe; they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. The last money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,5000,000.00) that I have with another Bank and I will want you to help me withdraw this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations and use it to help those in need.
 
N/B: Kindly note that 30% of this fund must go to victims of Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, South Asia Earthquake, 50% to other charity organizations around the world and 20% for your effort and time. I cannot talk to you on phone due to my heath situation, as I am using my laptop computer to communicate with you. You should respond to this e-mail if you are interested to carry out this assignment on my behalf. (mrsmaureen@outlook.com)
 
God be with you,
 
Mrs. Maureen S. Anoruo
 
 

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