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: Diane Williams <33dianewilliams@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Diane Williams <missdiane_williams@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:12:24 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Hello Dear


Hello Dear,

This email might come to you as a surprise and a complete intrusion to your privacy but right now this is my only option of communicating With You. I humbly write to solicit for your partnership and assistance in the transfer and investment of my inheritance funds from my late father who died mysteriously.

I will like to further introduce myself to you. My name is Miss.Diane Williams, I am age of eighteen years girl, am only child of my late parents Mr.and Mrs. Paul Williams

It was very evident that he was poisoned to death. In my culture, when a man dies, if he does not have a male child, the brother shares his property leaving the wife and the daughters empty handed. This is the exact case with me as I am the only daughter of my father. I lost my mother when I was barely a year old and my father refused to re-marry another wife despite all persuasion by friends and relatives, because he felt solely responsible for my mother's death, as he only concentrated on his business that he rarely pays attention to domestic/family affairs.

But he ensured that I had everything that I wanted. It was as a result of this that he made me the next of kin to his fund deposit with the bank and stated that in the event of any eventuality, I should have a direct access to the funds only when I am twenty-five years of age otherwise, I should have a guardian/partner to intercede on my behalf for the release of the funds to me. Unfortunately, he passes away and I am eighteen years of age currently.

I had discussions with the director of international remittance unit of the bank where my father deposited the funds and I was assured that once I have someone who would be honest and willing to receive the funds on my behalf for the purpose of investments in overseas, they shall commence all proceedings to effect the release and transfer of the funds into the person's designated account. Once you signify your interest to partner with me, I shall be giving you the bank contact details and also let you know how much involve so you request for the release and transfer of my inheritance fund into your nominated bank account for investment purpose and I can join you to continue my education.

Your urgent response will be appreciated. Talk to you the more.

Regards

Miss Diane Williams

Anti-fraud resources: