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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: Mrs Monica Smith
Reply-To: <smithmonica333@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 10:22:02 +0000
Subject: Please Help


Hi I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and Mrs Nelson Smith. My fa=
ther was a highly reputable business magnet who operated in the capital of =
Ivory coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriou=
sly in France during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th September=
2003. Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been =
masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God=
knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6 yrs old, and since then =
my father took me so special. Before his death on September 2003, he called=
me and informed me that he has the sum of Five Million, Seven Hundred thou=
sand United State Dollars(USD$5,700,000.00)left in fixed deposit account in=
one of the leading banks in Africa. He further told me that he deposited t=
he money in my name, and also gave me all the necessary but legal documents=
to this fund with the bank. I am just 21 years old and a university underg=
raduate and really don't know what to do. Now I want an account overseas wh=
ere I can transfer this funds and after the transaction I will come and res=
ide permanently in your country till such a time that it will be convenienc=
e for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I have suffere=
d a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivor=
y coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I also =
want to invest the fund under your care because I am ignorant of business w=
orld. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Y=
our suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask the=
se few questions: 1. Can you honestly help me from your heart? 2. Can I com=
pletely trust you? 3. What percentage of the total amount in question will =
be good for you after the money is in your account? Please, consider this a=
nd get back to me as soon as possible. Immediately I confirm your willingne=
ss, I will send to you my Picture and also inform you more details involved=
in this matter. Kind Regards, Miss Monica Smith

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