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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: "Ms. Mary Joshua" <audetbernard22@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmaryjoshua@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2022 07:39:17 +0000
Subject: Urgent assistance from you

Dear,
Permit me to inform you of my desire to go into business relationship
with you. I am Mary Joshua 20 years old from Cote d’Ivoire, daughter
of wealthy cocoa merchant late Mr. Lambert Joshua and Mrs. Tina Joshua
whom was killed by the rebels that attacked our country Cote d’Ivoire
and took over our town (San-Pedro). I ran to Abidjan the economical
capital of Cote d’Ivoire from where I am contacting you.

Before the death of my late parents, they deposited the sum of US$5.5m
Dollars (Five million five hundred thousand united states dollars) in
a bank in Cote d’Ivoire in my name as the next of kin.

After the burial of my parents, my Uncle has threatened to kill me
because of this money my late parents deposited in my name as the next
of kin. I seek your permission to help me and receive this fund into
your bank account so that i could come to your country to further my
studies and for investment.

I am willing to offer you 30% of the total sum as compensation for
your effort, after the successful transfer of this fund to your
nominated overseas account before the investments starts.

Furthermore, you can indicate your option towards assisting me as I
believe that this transaction would be concluded within a stipulated
period of time you signify your interest to assist me. I am waiting
for your response as soon as possible.

Thanks and God bless you.
Yours Faithfully,
Miss.Mary Joshua

Anti-fraud resources: