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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: DR FRANK KOJO <office---memo10@att.net>
Reply-To: frankkojo47@live.com
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2011 11:18:31 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE: Attention Beneficiary




>From The Desk Of  Dr. Frank Kojo
Director Inter-switch Unit.

Attention Beneficiary
 
Dear Sir/Madam,

Based on our investigation of your payment, we want to find out if you're still alive or did you assign any (Nancy George) to receive your fund. Reply to us via email: frankkojo47@live.com
 
This is because $5.7 Million has been approved for you, so reconfirm your personal information immediately unfailingly today or your fund will be released to Mrs. Nancy George.
 
Regards,
Dr. Frank Kojo

Anti-fraud resources: