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: Sarah Patrick <sarahpatrick1009@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sarah_patrick1009@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2013 02:09:08 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Donation From Mrs Sarah Patrick




Donation From Mrs Sarah Patrick

Dearest in the Lord,
 
May God bless you and your family.
 
I am Mrs Sarah Patrick an aging widow suffering from long time illness (Cancer).  I am currently admitted in a private hospital for my treatments.I have some money I inherited from my late husband Mr. Thomson Patrick, , who later died in a motor accident.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$4,700.000.00 (Four Million Seven Hundred thousand Dollars)  in a Bank. Presently, this money is still in bank.
 
My Doctor told me that I will die in next 3 months due to cancer problem.I need a very honest and God fearing person and organization that can use these funds for God's work. My late husband instructed that this fund should be use for charity purpose such as to build a schools, orphanages homes, hospitals etc.
 
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul. With God all things are possible.Please if you would be able to use these money for the God's work kindly reply me.
 
I want you to send me your information’s as per below.
 
Your Full names-----------------------
Your Address--------------------------
Your Country--------------------------
Your Age------------------------------
Your Occupation-----------------------
Your Telephone------------------------
 
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank. I will also issue you the affidavit that will prove you the new beneficiary of this money.
 
I am waiting to receive your reply.
 
Remain blessed in the Lord.
 
Thanks,
Mrs Sarah Patrick

Anti-fraud resources: