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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: hythec coy <hytheccoy@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 19:22:54 +0100
Subject: Hi

I am Mrs Barricane , I got your email contact through the internet and I
pray that you can be of urgent help. You will benefit greatly as you do so
with sincerity. Few years ago, I lost my beloved husband and since then my
inlaws have been after me to take my life and take the Deposit certificate
of the Fund ($30,000,000)that my late husband kept for me and my only
daughter. Right now, I am on sick bed in a Village of Qiddia in Benin
Republic. What is most important to me now is my daughter and the fund. I
do not know how long I can leave, but I need to secure better future for
her. She is presently living with Barrister Usman Uche and I will want her
out from Nigeria as soon as the Fund is tranfered to you. This transaction
can be completed in one working day if you can be serious and trustworthy.
To get this finalized, we have to change the Certificate of Ownership to
your Name and get Affidavit from Court to transfer this fund to you will be
waiting for you urgent response

Anti-fraud resources: