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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: "Andy Mitcher" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 23 May 2017 21:33:03 -1100
Subject: Please Read its important

Hello, It is a great privilege and honor As you read this message, I don't want you to feel sorry for
me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mrs, Andy Mitcher from the united States of America, I'm a merchant and a Cocoa Exporter from Cambodia, and South Africa to united State of America.
I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have
only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I
never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I
was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I
regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the
world. Since im all alone with no family to call my own, I have decided to give arms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth so far., I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, India and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked a friend to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and India, she refused and kept the money to themselves., Hence, I do not trust them anymore,as they seem not to be contended
with what I have left for them. The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of $3,500,00.00 (Three million five Hundred thousand dollars Only),that I have with a finance Company abroad I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations.
I will set aside 20% of the total sum for you, for your time and patience send a reply with your full contact
information for more private and confidential communication, I am waiting anxiously to pass information's to
you before my last hour as i have no more time unless by God's intervention. you can reach me here
andmitcher@gmail.com on my hospital email address for more details or drop your email here for me to
have quick access to you.

Yours truly in pain,
Mrs, Andy Mitcher

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