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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: "Ken Umeh" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:17:21 -0800
Subject: Your reply

I am Barrister Kenneth Umeh Esq. ,attorney at law.
 
My client who was from your region died intestate and left behind 14.5
million US Dollars in his bank account.He did not left a WILL .
 
I am seeking your permission to facilitate the claim and payment of the
money in your favor as the next of kin .
 
Email to me
Your full names
Address
Telephone number
 
I want to call you to speak further with you on this matter and I will
give you more information.
 
Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
 
 
Barrister Kenneth Umeh Esq.

Anti-fraud resources: