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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.STELLA YUSSUF<< vlk@egoimport.pw>>
Reply-To: mrsyussufst@hotmail.com
Date: 27 Mar 2020 11:33:52 -0700
Subject: KIND DONATION.

Dearest,

It is with tears and pains that I am writing this mail from my
sick bed in the hospital in Accra Ghana . My name is Mrs. Stella
yusuf, a widow to late Mr. Mohammed Yusuf, former owner of
PETROLEUM AND GAS LOGISTICS LTD in Benin Republic . I am 62 years
old, suffering from cancer of the breast. From all indications my
condition is deteriorating and it's obvious that I won't live
more than 3 months according to my doctors. The tumors have
deteriorated into the critical stage. I don't want you to pity
me, but I need your trust. My late husband died in December 2005
in a plane crash in Benin .

During the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child.
My late husband was wealthy and after his death, I inherited all
his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I will
not live long, so I have now made up my mind to spread my wealth
to charity & mercy works in Africa, Asia, America and Europe . Am
sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail
address online by chance over a month ago. I prayed & prayed for
God to reveal to me if you'll could be relied upon to see to &
administer to my last will. The signs i experienced convinced me,
and i have decided to contact you. But if for any reason you find
this mail offensive, you can ignore it and please accept my
apology.

If you are willing to help me, kindly send me your full name,
address, telephone number, age, and a copy of your passport for
proper identification.

My late husband was an Oil tycoon. He has mineral rights all over
Africa . He left the sum of US$8, 000, 000, 00 Dollars only,
which he deposit with a bank in Ghana . I need your help to take-
in, & distribute this funds to charity works & needy homes as i
stated above so that when I die my soul will rest in peace
knowing the money served a purpose rather than being expropriated
by the government(corrupt politicians) at my death because i
don't have children that will inherit,& positively utilize money
instead. The funds& distribution will be entirely at your
discretion and control, I hope God gives you the wisdom to touch
very many lives with my generosity (this is my main concern)By
the way 20% of this fund will be for your time and effort, while
80% goes EXCLUSIVELY to charity. In God's name i beseech you to
get back to me soon.

Thanks & God bless you.
Mrs.Stella Yusuf.
mrsyussufst@hotmail.com

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