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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: "Dr.Mrs. Hajia Maryam Abacha," (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drmrshama@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2017 02:10:44 -0800
Subject: PLEASE TREAT THIS MATTER SECRETLY AND GET BACK TO ME:

My Dear,
Following the sudden death of my husband General  Sani Abacha the late former head of state of  Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness by the present civilian administration, I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in the country.
As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody within the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different Banks, some companies have willingly give up their secrets and disclosed our money confidently lodged with them or many outright blackmail.
In fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is over US$18.4Billion dollars. And they are not relenting to make me poor for life, I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation I decided to reach you through this medium.  
I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day to day affairs.  I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you.
We have a deposited sum of 63 Million United States Dollars (US$63Million) with a Bank whose name is withheld for now until we open communication, I shall be grateful if you could receive this funds and keep it safe.
This arrangement is known to you and my son Sadiq alone, so my son will
Deal directly with you as security is still up my whole being and I am not that strong again. I am seriously considering to settle down abroad in a friendly atmosphere as soon as this fund get into your account so that I can start all over again if only you wish, but if it is impossible, just help me in diverting this fund into your account.
Please, honesty is the watch word in this transaction. I and my son Sadiq have agreed to give 20% of the total money for your assistance. I will require your confidential telephone, fax and mobile numbers so that we can commence communication immediately and I will give you a more detailed picture of things.
In case you dont accept please do not let me out to the security as I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence.
I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith. Please endeavor to reply me via my Email: or my Sons email: sadiqacm1@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Dr.Mrs. Hajia Maryam  Abacha,
Former First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Direct phone: +234 8159 819207
drmrshama@yahoo.com

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