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: "Mrs.Ursla Dorothy Max" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.ursladorothy@live.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2018 16:44:34 +0900
Subject: CAN YOU HELP ME USE MY MONEY FOR THE MOTHERLESS?

I am Mrs. Ursla Dorothy Max deaf from America. I was married to late Engr. Franklin Max, who worked with Shell Development Company in London for Twenty-Six years before he died in the year 2004 after a brief illness that lasted for only five days. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$3.5 Million in a firm here. Following my ill health (Cancer of the Lungs), my Doctor told me that I may not live longer than required due to my health condition. I am looking forward to seeing someone who can use this money in charitable works. More details will be made known to you upon your response.Please reply me in my private email address (mrs.ursladorothy@live.com)
Best Regards,
Mrs.Ursla Dorothy Max

Anti-fraud resources: