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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: Karen Sylvia <karensylvia662@gmail.com>
Reply-To: karensylvia90@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2023 14:09:49 +0200
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE

Dearest one

Permit me to inform you an investment proposal of $3,500.000.00 US
Dollars inherited from my late father to invest in your care. I will
like you to inform me your interest to assist me. I am Karen Sylvia,
the only daughter of Late Dr.Daniel GUI Sylvia. My father was a very
wealthy cocoa merchant based in Abidjan, the economic capital of Cote
d’ivoire west Africa before he was poisoned to death by his business
associates on one of their outing to discuss on a business deal. He
instructed me before his death to look for a partner outside my
country to settle down with this fund.

I am honorably seeking your assistance in the following ways,
1) To provide a bank account where this money would be transferred.
2) To serve as the guardian of this fund.
3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further
my education and to secure a residential permit for me in your
country.

Moreover, I am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as
compensation for your effort input after the successful transfer of
this fund to your account.
Furthermore, you can indicate your option towards assisting me as I
believe that this transaction would be concluded within seven (7) days
you signify interest to assist me.

Hope to hear from you.
Kind regards
Ms Karen Sylvia.

Anti-fraud resources: