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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. Isabel Hutchinson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <riaexpress@tutanota.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:29:00 +0100
Subject: PLEASE READ AND REPLY.

Hello dear,
   
As you read through my message, I do not want you to feel pity for me, for I believe someday, somehow, we will all surely die, this is about mine, and a last wish. My name is Mrs. Isabel Virginia Hutchinson from Australia, married to late Engr. Mark Hutchinson, a USA citizen who worked with The Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Co. Ltd, Saudi Arabia for twenty years. We are married without any children. My husband died here in Saudi Arabia in the year 2013 at the age of 79years.
    
Presently I am 80years old. I am diagnosed of Cancer of the Larynx and I have been hospitalized here in Saudi Arabia. My condition is really deteriorating and It is quite obvious that my death is very close to me as I can see my life quickly ebbing away. The stage is worst more than two weeks now which affected my ability to talk. I prefer to pass on at this stage since I am bed ridden and in constant pain.            
When my husband was alive, we deposited the sum of US$7.8 Million Dollars with a Progress Finance Service. This funds is still with the Progress Finance Service and the management of the Progress Finance Service have contacted me to apply and receive the fund but due to my health condition and life status at this time, I do not need this fund, but I can authorize someone I trust to apply and receive the fund on my behalf.
      
My dear, the reason I am contacting you is because i want you to help me and receive this US$7.8 Million from the Progress Finance Service on my behalf and donate US$7 Million to any Charity Organization in USA or in Australia and you take the USD$800,000.00 for your support and efforts. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and I do not want the Progress Finance Service to inherit this fund. Although we have not met before, I just got your email address from google research and my confidence reposed on you.
          
Please this is 100% legitimate. It is my money. If you are interested and willing to help me, please contact me so I will give you the website of Progress Finance Service and their contact details and tell you how to contact them and release the fund to you.
  
Please always be prayerful all through your life.
       
I am waiting for your reply.
     
Yours in Christ,
      
Mrs. Isabel Virginia Hutchinson.

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