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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: MONICA SMITH <marinella.scipioni@alice.it>
Reply-To: smissmonica@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2016 08:32:05 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Appreciation

Hi
I am the only Daughter of my late
parents Mr and Mrs Nelson Smith. My father was a highly
reputable business magnete who operated in the capital of
Ivory coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed
away mysteriously 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 mine who traveled with him that same day. But God
knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6yrs 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 thousand
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 the money in my name, and also
gave me all the necessary but legal documents to this fund
with the bank. I am just 23 years old and a university
undergraduate and really don't know what to do. Now I
want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds and
after the transaction I will come and reside permanently in
your country till such a time that will be convenience
for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I
have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant
political crisis here in Ivory 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
world.

I am in a sincere desire of your
humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and
ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these
few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely 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 and get back to me as soon as
possible. Immediately I confirm your willingness, 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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