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: "Christina Tee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <christinactee@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:44:00 +0100
Subject: Re: CAN I TRUST YOU

Compliment of the day and how are you all is well with you?

I write you this message because I got your contact from a reputable directory of your country which gives me the assurance of your legibility as a person. My Name is Christina Tee, I was born and raised by an Australian mother and a Ghanian father who is a deceased chief in my community. My mom left us while I was just ten and got married somewhere in Europe and I lost contact with her and have never heard from her until now. My Dad also remarried to a woman who does not like me and has given me the biggest frustration of my life.

It's just one year since we lost my dad and my step mother with my uncle has taken over almost everything my dad had and left me with nothing. A few day ago, my late father's attorney invited me and informed me of an estate and a farm plantation which together is worth about 2.2 million US dollars, he said my late dad has instructed that they be handed to me exactly one year after his death, when the mourning period is completed.

The biggest problem we are facing now is that my stepmother and my uncle are trying to interfere in this small thing am getting from my late father. They say according to tradition, a woman cannot inherit such properties since she will get married someday and leave the family. They are now trying to get the support of other chief to take away this from me too.

The barrister has made connection with a company who is ready to buy the properties, and he has advised that I make foreign contact to transfer the money out of this country without delay and also leave for security reasons. I send you this letter to solicit your partnership and support to legally transfer this money from here to your country. I am willing to give you 40% of the total sum once it is transferred, or we can invest this money in a business where you will have 40% share. I shall furnish you with more details when I get your positive response.

Look forward to hearing from you soon,
Christy

Anti-fraud resources: