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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: "Marim Mohammed" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <marim3@aol.in>
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 05:40:05 +0300
Subject: URGENT

Attention

my name is Marim Mohammed the daughter of Mr. Ahmed Mohammed of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address but I got your contact address from the Johannesburg Chambers of Trade and Commerce.

During the last crises against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim the farms in our country, he ordered all the farmers
to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers. My father was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing that he did not support the Presidents
political ideology, the Presidents supporters invaded my fathers farm burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments.

After the death of my father, my mother and I decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives!. We took along with us the money my father kept in the safe
in my mother’s house, which amounted to the sum of US$4 Million to the Republic of South Africa. Where we now seek political asylum. the money has been transferred to
a financial house overseas My Mother and I have decided to contact any reliable overseas firm or persons who could assist us to claim
this money out from the financial house because we as asylum seeker here in South Africa we are not allowed certain financial rights like operating a bank account.

We need you to open a non-resident account through which this fund will be channeled out to your nominated overseas account. If my preposition is considered,
for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you $1million dollars of the total fund, while me and my family will like to invest in your country
under your guidance and assistance. Your urgent response to my personal box will be Highly appreciated. (marim3@aol.in) anxiously waiting for you reply. Thank you.

Best regards,

Marim Mohammed
For the family.

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