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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: Marc Houngbedji <houngbedjimarc04@yahoo.com.au>
Reply-To: Marc Houngbedji <houngbedjimarc01@ig.com.br>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 01:11:34 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dearest Beloved one


>From Marc Houngbedji's
Carre 190 zone Des Ambassade
cotonou Benin

Dearest Beloved one ,

May l request for your assistance and also  go into bussiness pertnership
with you, believing that you will not betray my trust which i am going to
lay on you. My name is Marc Houngbedji 20years old boy , the only child of
my late parents MR.and MRS. Michel Houngbedji My father was a highly
reputable business magnet-(Gold merchant) who operated in the capital of
Benin republic during his days.It is sad to say that he passed away
mysteriously after one of his business trips abroad 12th.Febuary 2013.Though
his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by
an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the
truth!.

My mother died when I was just 4 years old, and since then my father took me
so special. Before his death on February 12th 2013 he called me secretly
beside his bed at the hospital and revealed to me that he has the sum of
Fifteen  Million five hundred thousand United State
Dollars.(USD$15.500 000)left in a security company contained in a strong
metallic trunk box, but the security company didn't know the real content of
the box till date,because it was registered as family valuables personal for
security reasons.

I am just 20years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know
what to do.This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs since the
death of my father, his death actually brought sorrow to my life. Please, I
am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards to move
this money to your country for a lucrative business under your care ,as l am
very desperate to relocate to your country and continue my education.Your
suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.Please permit me to ask these
few questions,

1. Can I completely trust you?
2. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you?
3. Promise me that this transaction will remain confidential between you and
me and you will never involve any third party for security reasons?

Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible
My sincere regards,

Marc Houngbedji


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