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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: "DEBORAH HERMAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <deborah.herman37@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 14.54.03 +0200
Subject: HELLO

Greetings,
I know as you read this, you might like to feel sorry for me. Don’t bother it is a part of live because I believe everyone will die someday.
However, my name is Mrs. Deborah Herman a wife of a late merchant in Russian Federation. I am about 50 years old and a Christian. During that period of our marriage, we couldn't produce any child. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his businesses and wealth. Thereafter, I was diagnosed of esophageal cancer which was discovered. As it is now, it has defiled all forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts. Though, I am currently taking treatment in a specialist hospital near Glasgow, Scotland.
Why I contacted you, I need a truth wealthy person who shall assistance me actualize my last dreams. Like I said earlier, all my husband business and wealth were under my care
Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all these as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.
I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it now. Now that God is about calling me home, I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I have decided to give arms to charity organizations and give succor and comfort to the less privileged in our societies, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. I want this money distributed to charity organizations in the America, Europe, U.A.E. Asia and Africa.
Because my health has seriously deteriorated, I couldn't do it myself. Thus, I asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money to charity in Pakistan they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.
The last of my monies which no one knows of is a huge cash deposit of $12,000,000.00 US Dollars which I have with a Security Company in a secret location for safe keeping. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and disburse it to some charity organizations and to the less privileged. If you will assist me in this disbursement I have set aside 20% for you for your time and patience.
Please if you can do this for me, I need your urgent response so that I know what to do next.
I will give you my Attorney Details who shall back you up legally immediately I receive your response to this email.
May The Almighty be with you and your entire families as you consider my proposal.

Mrs. Deborah Herman

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