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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: SULAIMAN HELEN <sulaiman.helen@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: helensulaiman10@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:23:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Miss Helen Sulaiman


>From Miss Helen Sulaiman
Ivory Coast, West Africa.
E-mail: helensulaiman10@hotmail.com
 
Dear Friend,
Compliments!
 
Can you help me out in this transaction please? I really need your urgent assistance!
I am Miss Helen Sulaiman, From Ivory Coast and I am contacting you because I need your help in the management of a sum of money that my late father left for
me before he died. This money is USD$8.5 Million American Dollars and the
money is in one of the prime bank's here in Abidjan the capital city of Ivory Coast.
My father was a very rich cocoa farmer and he was poisoned by his business
colleagues and now I want you to stand as my oversea guidian and appointed
beneficiary and receive the money in your country on my behalf, since I am only 21 years and without mother or father.
 
I will offer you 15% of the total funds, As a rewards for your assistance to me. While the remaining 85% will be invested in a very good and lucrative businesses over there in your country. Based on your advice, Because you are the one to manage and direct all the companies or any business venture, which I will set up.
 
Please I will like you to reply to this email so that I will tell you all the information so that this money will be transferred to you so that you will get me papers to travel to your country to continue my education and new life with you over there, ok.
 
I am waiting for your urgent reply e-mail. Incase, You can contact me privately at; helensulaiman10@hotmail.com, for more details, ok. Bye for now!
 
Thanks and take care. Kisses and Hugs.
 
Sincerely,
Miss Helen Sulaiman.

Anti-fraud resources: