joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "john kumade" <jkumade@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 02:12:16 -0700
Subject: Business Assistance


* BUSINESS ASSISTANCE *
* 55 Auckland Park Saxon world*
* Johannesburg - R. S. AFRICA*
*STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL *
*+27 73-555-0881*
*Dear Sir,*
* *
*I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please consider this
letter as request from a family in dire need for your assistance. Firstly, I
must introduce myself. *
*I am John Kumade from Zimbabwe; I am the first and only Son of MR. JAMES
Kumade. *
* *
*I am presently residing in South Africa. I got your contact
from THE research i made in internet and on behalf of my mother who is a
widow Mrs AGNES Kumade, *
*I have decided to solicit for your assistance to transfer the sum of *
*US$10M (ten million United States Dollars) in your personal or company
account.*
* *
* Before my father's death, he was among the few black Zimbabwean rich
farmers and he was poisoned by the agent of the ruling government of
president Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for the
Zimbabwe Opposition Party controlled by the white minority. *
*Before his death, he has taken me to Johannesburg to deposit this money to
a Security and Finance company.*
* This money was deposited in a box as a gemstone to avoid much demurrage
from the security company.*
* This money was earmarked for purchase of new machinery and chemicals for
the farms and to establish new farms in Lesotho and Swaziland.*
* In his will he specially drew my attention to this sum of US$10M (ten
million United States Dollars) that he deposited in a safe box of a Private
Security and Finance Company here in Johannesburg, South Africa. *
* *
*IN FACT MY FATHER SAID IN HIS WILL AND QUOTE:*
* *
* *
* My beloved Son, I wish to draw your attention to this money, which I
deposited in your name in a box with a Security and Finance Company in
Johannesburg, South Africa. In case of my absence on earth cause by death,
you should make good use of this fund for the well being of the entire
family. … "*
* *
* From the above you will understand that the life and future of my family
depends on this money as much. I will be very grateful if you can assist us.
*
*We are now living in South Africa as Asylum seekers and the Financial Laws
of South Africa does not allow Asylum Seekers certain right to such huge
amount of money. In view of this, I cannot invest this money in South
Africa; hence I am asking to assist me to transfer this money out of South
Africa for investment purposes.*
* *
*For your effort, we prepared to offer you 25% of the total fund while 5%
will be set aside for local and international expenses and 70% will be kept
by my family and me. *
*Finally, modalities on how the transfer will be done and conveyed to you
will be explained to you once we establish trust and confidence between
ourselves. *
*Looking forward to your reply and please treat as very urgent.*
**
*Call me Immediately you finish reading this mail for futher
details.+2773-555-0881.*
**
*Best Regards, *
* *
*John Kumade. *
* *

Anti-fraud resources: