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: Rosemary Ferdinand <rosy_ferdinand2010@yahoo.in>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:58:39 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: DONATE TO ORPHANAGE


>From Mrs  Rose,
Attn,
I am Mrs Rose 62 years old, from Ivory Coast Iam married to late Mr Ferdinand Koffi of blessedmemory who worked with Ivory Coast government foryears before he died in the year 2005. We weremarried for years without a child. he died during thepolitical crisis that lasted for only four days.Before his death we were both married and Since hisdeath I too have been battling with cancer andfibroid problems. When my late husband was alive hedeposited the sum of $ 3 Million United StatesDollars with a finance firm IN SPAIN.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last forthe next two months due to Cancer problem. Thoughwhat disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Havingknown my condition l decided to donate this fund to either aorphanage organization or devoted individual thatwill utilize this money the way l am going to instructhere in. I Want this organization or individual to usethis money in all sincerity to fund orphanages,widows and also propagating the word of God and toensure That the society upholds the views and beliefsof the holy book of God  bible.
The holy Bible emphasized so much on God benevolenceand this has encouraged me to take this bold step. Itook this decision because l don't have any Child thatwill inherit this money and my husband two brothers  died in the war in my country I don’t want myhusband’s hard earned money to be misused by people .I don’t want a situation where this moneywill be used in a bad  manner. Hence the reasons fortaking this bold decision.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you thecontact of the finance house I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the newbeneficiary of this fund. I want you and the Christiancommunity where you reside to always pray for me.
My happiness is that I lived a life of a true devoted worthy of emulation. Whoever that wants to serve theGod must serve him in truth  and in fairness. Pleasealways be prayerful all through your life. and pleasedon't give any delay in your replying me soonest, Withyour tel /fax number and address
Regards,
Mrs  Rose

Anti-fraud resources: