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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 Coleen Karl" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrkar8917@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2016 01:28:38 +0100
Subject: Greetings from Mrs. Coleen

Greetings dear friend,

I am mrs Coleen Karl, widow of late Mr. Graeme M. Karl who was a petroleum and Cotton business owner across some West African countries. I am from New Zealand, presntly being Hospitalized in Benin Republic after I came down with this sickness. I married my husband twenty five years ago, and we have jointly managed the businesses together here in Africa. But after his sudden death from heart attack two years ago, i came down with sickness, which was later diagnosed to be esophageal cancer. I am now over 60 years old.

I am contacting you today so that you will assist me in charity project on orphans and other less Privileged ones, and also support Charity Organizations in your country and elsewhere in my name. Because from all indications, my condition is really deteriorating by the day, and it's quite obvious that I may not have any long time left, at least that is what my doctor says. He has asked me several times to put my house in order. This is because the esophageal cancer is now at a critical stage. I don't want you to pity me, rather I need your assistance and trust because I have decided to come to terms with it. This time around, I have accepted his advice and this is why I am talking to you right now through this e-mail letter.

Having looked at my present health condition, and without any child to inherit us, I discussed my intention with our Parish Priest, and then i authorized the Bank's Remittances Officer to transfer the total of $4,500,000 which I inherited from my late husband(funds in Safe Deposit Box), unto ATM Card. The transfer to ATM Card has been effected. And with the help of my doctor, who is a very caring and supportive soul, I hope to accomplish this task through you. His extra care and attention has kept me till now. He is such a wonderful friend i made when i don't really have much time to live, what an irony of fate.

I am happy to use this funds to accomplish the Noble Work of Charity through you, since I also know that it will make my husband happy wherever he is, because while he was alive, we both vowed to use our wealth to help the less privileged since we have no child and relations. If you accept to use this fund to help the Less Privileged and support Charity Organizations both in your country and elsewhere, kindly respond for more details before it is too late. Write down your names:.. age:.. occupation:.. residential:.. address:.. and direct telephone contact:..

My plan is that you should use 80% of the funds for charity projects, and the 20% you will have to yourself for being a worthy friend.

Thank you in advance for your dedication to this noble task of Charity.

Best regards to you

Mrs Coleen

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