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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: Mrs Josefine John Carlsen <josefine.johncarlsen@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:24:17 +0000
Subject: My Dearest One,


CHARITY DONATION Please read carefully, I know it is true that this letter
may come to you as a surprise. I came across your e-mail contact through a
private search while in need of your assistance. I am writing this mail to
you with heavy sorrow in my heart, I have chose to reach out to you through
Internet because it still remains the fastest medium of communication.

My Name is Mrs. Josefine John Carlsen I am native Denmark, wife of late Mr
John Carlsen currently hospitalized in a private hospital here in
Ouagadougou Burkina Faso as a result of lungs cancer I am 62 years old and
I was diagnosed of lungs cancer for about 4 years ago, immediately after
the death of my husband, who has left me everything he worked for. I'm with
my laptop in a hospital here in where I have been undergoing treatment for
cancer of the lungs. I have some funds inherited from my late husband, the
sum of Eleven Million United States Dollars Only (USD$11,000,000,00).Now
it's clear that I’m approaching the last-days of my life and I don't think
I need this money anymore. My doctor made me to understand that I would not
last for the period of one year due to Lungs cancer problem.

This money is still with the Bank and the management wrote me as the true
owner to come forward to receive the money or rather issue a letter of
authorization to somebody to receive it on my behalf since I can't come
over because of my illness. Failure to act the bank may get fund
confiscated for keeping it so long. I decided to contact you if you maybe
willing and interested to help me withdraw this money from the Bank then
use the funds for Charity works in helping the less privileged and also to
fight against Covid-19 Pandemic in the society. I want you to handle these
trust funds in good faith before anything happens to me. This is not a
stolen money and there are no dangers involved is 100% risk free with full
legal proof.

I want you to take 45% of the total money for your personal used while 55%
of the money will go to charity work. I will appreciate your utmost trust
and confidentiality in this matter to accomplish my heart desire, as I
don't want anything that will jeopardize my last wish. I am very sorry if
you received this letter in your spam, is due to recent connection error
here in the country. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the
contact of the Bank. I will also issue you a letter of authorization which
will prove that you are the new beneficiary of my funds and the documents
concerning the deposit. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I
stated herein. Hope to hear from you soonest. I am waiting for your
response urgently.

Yours Beloved Sister.
Mrs. Josefine John Carlsen.

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