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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: MARIAM SANKOH <mariam.sankoh@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: mariam02sankoh@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 20:31:04 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My Dearest Sir




My Dearest Sir,

Thanks for your message,

Real I did not want to discuss this matter with you there on Bharat Matrimony, because it will not be secret and confidential for me and you. And also I did not want to expose my profile there that was why I deleted it after contacting you.
I am Mrs Mariam Sankoh, the wife of former Public Works Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and also diamond and gold merchant Prof. Tshiumbaka M.Bishikwabo who died in August 16th 2008 in Tutsis-Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as a result of civil war in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I am writing you in absolute confidence primarily to seek your help to claim our cash of Four Million Nine Hundred Thousand dollars ($4.900.000 Dollars) and gold now in custody of a security company in Abidjan-Cote d’Ivoire to your private bank account pending on our arrival to your country. First and foremost, I apologize using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude, but this is due to confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium. Be informed that I obtained your enviable Credentials/profile from the Bharat Matrimony Site. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the
execution of this transaction described hereunder for the benefit of both parties. My late husband did not declared the real contact of the 02 metallic boxes to the security company officials. He only told them that the metallic boxes is containing family valuable treasury inside the box. You are the only person I have sent this message across to. I will like keep the secret of this money until it arrival your country.
My late husband, Prof.Tshiumbaka M.Bishikwabo, a native of GOMA-Tutsis in the eastern province of DR Congo (DRC), he owned a large field of plantation before he be came Public Works Minister and later died in the peak of the civil war, between the rebels force of Gen. Laurent Nkunda (CNDP) and the government of CONGO (DRC). I want you to help me and my son claim these boxes and transfer the money to your bank account in your country pending when I and my son will arrival your country. To make a good arrangement for a joint business investment on our behalf in your country and you will manage the investment in your country.
Most importantly, the security company does not know the exact content of the Metallic boxes, because it was declared as family valuable Treasury for security purpose. The whole documents issued after deposit, is in my names and under my care. I called you to help me in this transaction because mostly I don’t want to involve my own people for security reason, secondly I am financially setback back now because of refugee permit and continues war in my country DRC. These are why I contacted you as a foreigner
For your assistance, we consider giving you 20% of the total money for your effort and your assistance over this transaction and another 5% of the total money for any expenses may occur during the transaction on your side. Lastly, I plead with you to keep this transaction strictly and confidential until money arrival your country. Please try to reach us as soon as you get this letter. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon. You can call me and my son MR KALUMBA through this direct line: +225 06952553 my son speaks ENGLISH good more than me.

I wait for your reply.
May God bless you.
Mrs Mariam Sankoh

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