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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Caroline Bello <carolinebello12@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrs_moyo4@myway.com
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 10:14:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PERSONAL LETTER





From:Mrs.CAROLINE BELLO
Johannesburg
South Africa
Good day
 
You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you don't know me personally. I am Mrs. CAROLINE BELLO the wife of Mr Moyo BELLO who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I got your contact through South African Information Exchange (S.A.I.E) in Johannesburg, and I decided to solicit for your assistance. My late husband was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agents of the ruling government of president Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean opposition party controlled by the white minority.
 
Before his death he had taken me to Johannesburg South Africa to deposit the sum of US$22 (Twenty Two Million United States Dollars) with a Security and Finance Company as if he Foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. The money was deposited in a metal box and declare as a personal effects for the use of some of his friends who were to arrive for the world summit on sustainable development scheduled to hold in South Africa from 28th of August,2009.This money was given to my husband by President Robert Mugabe himself, for investment in South Africa when they were in good terms.
 
The dispute between my husband and the President arose when the President introduced a new land reform-act,which adversely affected the rich white farmers and some black farmers as well. My husband was vehemently opposed to the "modus operandis"adopted by the government and publicly opposed it. This brought him in direct conflict with the president. To achieve his purpose, the president used war veterans to plunder, loot and occupy all farms
belonging to the white farmers and their black sympathizers. More than Fifty Farmers has lost their lives so far.
 
Heads of governments from the west,especially Britain and United States of America have voiced there condemnation of Mugabe's plan. Subsequently, South African Development Community(S.A.D.C) has continuously Supported Mugabe's new land act, it is against this background that I and my two children who are currently Residing in South Africa have decided to transfer my husband's money into a foreign account.
 
As a mother of two children, I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking a genuine foreign account where this money Could be transferred without the knowledge of my Government who are tactically freezing our family Wealth and South Africa's government seems to be Playing along with them. I am faced with the dilemma of investing this money in South Africa for fear of encountering the same experience in future since both Countries
have almost the same political history.
 
More so, the South African Foreign Exchange policy does not allow such investment hence I am seeking for an "asylum". As a business person that I entrusted my Future and that of my children into his hands, I must let you know that this transaction is 100% risk free and the nature of your business does not necessarily matter. For your assistance, we are offering You 15% of the total sum, 80% for me and my children While 5% will be mapped out for any expenses we may incurs during this transaction. We wish to invest our Money on commercial property based on your advice.
 
Finally,i will demand for assurance that you will not sit on this money when it finally gets to your personal or company's account in your country. If this proposal is acceptable with you, please confirm your interest by immediate reply. Please send your response through my alternative email addresses:(carolinebello12@yahoo.com)
Best Regards.
Mrs .CAROLINEBELLO



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