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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: "Michael Maluka" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michaelmaluka@yahoo.cn>
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012 17:47:01 -0000
Subject: GOOD DAY!

Good day
I am pleased to contact you in this way, and believe we will be of big help to each other.
My name is Michael Maluka, I am 21 years and only child of my parents, i and my sick mother inherited the sum of Thirteen Million United States dollars ($13,000,000.00) from my late father, Dr Ambrose Maluka, who was killed by the rebels during the recent political crises in my country, Cote d'Ivoire . The fund is deposited in a suspense account in the bank here.
My mother is very sick at the hospital now, and she is suffering from cancer of the blood, Leukaemia, according to her doctor, her condition is very bad.
My father told the bank that, his foreign partner will come for the release and transfer of the fund before he died, that is why I am seeking for your assistance to represent my late father's foreign partner.
I have met the bank manager, and he told me that they will transfer the funds to you, as soon as you send your information to him, and we get some papers from the authorities here to support the transfer.
After the transfer, we will offer you 30% of the 13 million for your help.
We have also agreed to add more 10%, for any expenses that will be incurred during the transfer.
You will assist us to get papers, to come to your country for the investment after the transfer, l will further my education and my mother will be treated at a good hospital, in your country.
The document about the deposit is with me.
Thanks and sincerely yours,
Michael Maluka.

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