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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 Sarah Andreas <sarahandreas2014@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Mrs Sarah Andreas <sarahandreas2014@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 08:00:08 +0900 (JST)
Subject: GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF GOD (READ MY MASSAGE)


Dearest,

I am Mrs Sarah
Andreas and I am married to Mr. Aliu Nicolas Andreas for 19 years
without a child and my husband died in just four days of his illness. I
am contacting you to let you know my desire to donate the sum of $3.5
million to charities in your country which I inherited from mylate
husband. Due to my illness (cancer) I have been confirmed to leave for
just eight months by doctors, so it is my desire that this money is
invested and distributed to charity organizations of your choice like
orphanage homes, schools, Home for the homeless, Home for the elderly,
hospital and many other things that will be to the benefit of the less
privilege. I want you to send the following information so that I start
processing the affidavit that will prove you the new beneficiary to the
fund.

( 1 ) Your full name ....
( 2 ) Address ....
( 3 ) City and country ...
( 4   Age / Sex ......
( 5 ) Occupation .......

Once
I receive your reply confirming your acceptance of the work, I will
give all relevant information and swear affidavit to authorize the bank
release and transfer the money to you as my duly appointed
representative.

Remain blessed,
Mrs. Sarah Andreas

Anti-fraud resources: