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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: "MISS Faith Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <faithwilliams@windowslive.com>
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 23:45:47 -0700
Subject: Your Honest And Faithful

Your Honest And Faithful.
Dearest One,
I know this mail will come to you as a surprise since we haven't known or come across each other before considering the fact that I sourced your email contact through the Internet in search of trusted person who can assist me.I am faith williams 24 years old female from the Republic of Gambia, the Daughter of Late Major willliams.My late father was Principal Protection Officer to President Yahya williams.He died on the 19 Nov 2007 the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital following an illness.You can read more about my father in the link below.http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Gambia-News-Major-williams-Passes-Away.html.I am constrained to contact you because of the maltreatment which I am receiving from my step mother. She planned to take away all my late father's treasury and properties from me since the unexpected death of my beloved Father.Meanwhile I wanted to travel to Europe,but she hide away my international passport and other valuable documents. Luckily she did not disco ver where I kept my father's File
Now I am presently staying in the Mission in Benin Republic. I am seeking for long term relationship and investment assistance.My father of blessed memory deposited the sum of US$ 12.5 Million in one deposit house  with my name as the next of kin.I had contacted the Vault company to clear the deposit but the director told me that being a refugee, my status according to the local law does not authorize me to carry out the operation.However,he advised me to provide a trustee who will stand on my behalf.I had wanted to inform my stepmother about this deposit but I am afraid that she will not offer me anything after the release of the money.Therefore, I decide to seek for your help to assist me so that we will use the fund to start a very good joint investment on your behalf ,while I will relocate to your country and settle down with you.As you indicated your interest to help me I will give you the contact of the deposit company where my late beloved father deposited the mon ey with my name as the next of ki
Please all communications should be through this email address only for confidential purposes for now.Thanking you a lot in anticipation of your quick response. I will give you details in my next mail after receiving your acceptance mail to help me.
Yours sincerely.
Miss Faith Willams

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