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: "Libuse Rebensteigerova" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <libuehelenn232@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2017 20:12:59 -0800
Subject: From Mrs Libue ( Sun)

Greetings.
 
I am writing this mail to you with tears and sorrow from my heart but I know there is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with the fact that, so many miscreants and impostors (scammers) have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious
deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition.
 
I am Mrs. Libue Helenn a widow suffering from long time illness (Cancer), I have some funds I inherited from my late loving husband Engr. Libue, the sum of ($15,500.000,00 dollars ) which he deposited in bank and I need a very honest and God fearing person that can use these funds for Charity work, helping the Less Privileges, and 30% will be for your compensation for doing this charity work.I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this fund. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way.That is why I am taking this decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. Please if you would be able to use this fund for helping the Less Privileges that will be good, kindly contact me back for more details.
 
I look forward to your prompt reply for more details.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Libue Helenn

Anti-fraud resources: