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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: Maria Waswa <obinnakc34@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mariam.waswa@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2021 21:36:27 +0100
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam

Dear Sir/Madam,

l know this proposal will come to you as a surprise, I got your contact
through the internet - due to serious searching for a reliable personality.

I am a widow who lives in Ghana, 48yrs of age. I have a daughter who is the
joy of my life. My late husband was a loving, caring and hardworking
businessman who died unfortunately in an auto crash.

Before the sudden death of my beloved husband and father of my daughter, my
late husband intended to establish a business in the united states of
America with the sum of $5,200,000.00 United states dollars, but
unfortunately he died before this proposed venture.

Following his death, his family members are telling me that I am not
entitled to his property (Assets and money) because I am a woman and my
offspring is a female as well, (according to some barbaric traditional laws
here in Ghana (Africa) which doesn't permit a woman to inherit a man's
property ), but I and my child will be cared for by the late husband's
family who will take over the management of his business and other
properties.

Unfortunately for these wicked family members, the $5,200,000.00 United
states dollars which my late husband intended to use in establishing a
business in the United States was deposited in a bank account unknown to
his family. I and the lawyer are the only one aware of this money, so I
have discussed this matter with the lawyer that I want this money
personally and he agreed, based on some compensation.

According to the lawyer, the best way to secure this money is to transfer
this money to a bank account outside Ghana for safe-keeping, later it will
be used for business establishment with your advice and assistance, which I
will also come over to your country with my daughter.

Please get back to me as soon as you receive my message to enable me to
reach with the lawyer.

Best Regard
MARIAM WASWA

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