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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: William Faith <faithwillam@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 20:22:45 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dearest Friend


Dearest Friend

I am sending you this mail after gone through profile with tears seeking for your kind assistance after I read your profile. Though we have not met before, but I have no alternative than to send you this mail this way because of the urgency needed.

I am Miss faith william, 19yrs old, the only daughter of (Late) Mr. & Mrs John william, who was gold and diamond dealer. My mother died when she was given birth to me and this made my father to love and cherish me, promising to take very good care of me until I marry. But everything changed on August 20th 2013. All my joy, dream turns to sorrow, immediately after his death. I was maltreated, rejected and turned to a slave by my uncle who wants to take advantage of me. I have to run away to a nearby town Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire from where I am communicating to you now after attempted kill me. 

Meanwhile before his untimely death he told me as his only daughter that he deposited US$7,500.000 in a finance deposit house here in Cote dI'voire and I have the original deposite certificate of this fund, Now I seak your kind assistance to stand as my guardian and help me claim and transfer it to your country, and you will help me to come over to your country and continue my education while the money will be in your account. I will appreciate your quick response as I need urgent attention on this matter, "Lastly" am ready to comply with whatever percentages you will ask from me as soon as that fund is release to you? I will give you my picture as soon as I receive your response, so that you will know whom I am. 

Thanks and waiting to hear from you

Sincerely
Miss faith william

Anti-fraud resources: