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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: "Margaret Dotley" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2022 18:12:20 +0100
Subject: From Margaret Dotley

Good day.


It is good to write you this mail from the depth of my heart with all sincerity and honesty, I am Margaret Dotley, a widow to the Late Mr. Dotley, who was a big business merchant in Europe and Hong Kong, Asia.

I am 60yrs old and I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer which has defile all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live and i have decided and now willing to give arms/donations and part of my estate to you if you're honest to do this and also for you to help organizations and humanitarian projects to fulfil my last wish, i will send you more details in my next email. Please let me know if we can proceed.

Warmest Regards
Margaret Dotley

Anti-fraud resources: