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: "Amaka Agu" <amakaa63@rediffmail.com>
Date: 6 Jun 2007 12:10:45 -0000
Subject: URGENT HELP


Attn Dear,
I am Miss Amaka Agu the only Daughter of late Mr. Fidelix Agu. My Father and Mother were very wealthy farmers and exporters when they were alife.After the death of my Father,long ago, My Mother was controling his business untill she became sick and died.
on december 2005.Before the death of My Mother, she deposited an amount of US$5.m in a Security Company here which My Name is there as the Next of kin. but before she died, she informed that the Funds should only be available to me when I am 25Years or I should seek for a foreign guardian in your country to receive the funds until I am 25Years old so that I can Finish My Education.I am kindly seeking the following from you.(1) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am aGirl of 22 Years Old .(2) To Make Arrangement for me to Come Over to yourcountry to Further My Education and to secure aresident permit for me in your country.I am willing to offer you 20% once the funds gets to your account.kindly inform me of your sincere wish to assist me for me to give you further informations.
PLEASE CONTACT ME TO THIS EMAIL: amakaagu5@indiatimes.com

Thanks and God bless.Amaka agu

Anti-fraud resources: