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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: "Mr. James Harper (Spc)." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <spcmrjamesharper@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 12:29:01 -0400
Subject: VERY CONFIDENTIAL

Hello dear,
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I found you listed in the Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in Afghanistan, I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business. I only pray at this time that your address is still valid. I want to solicit your attention to receive money on my behalf. I am SPC James Harper, an officer in the US Army, and also a West Point Graduate presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Air Borne Division Peace keeping force in Kabul, Afghanistan. I am on the move to Europe from Afghanistan, Based on the United States legislative and executive decision to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan. I have been deployed to work in Europe soon. Our mission is to beef up terrorist targeted states, mostly the United States and your Country on war against terrorism.
This circumstance has orchestrated this proposal and I will explain in details upon your acceptance. I want to inform you that I have in my possession the sum of 16.2 million USD which i got from a deal here. I deposited this money with a Red Cross officer informing him that we are making contact for the real owner of the fund. It is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for this money. I wish to use this money for charity purposes and also investing it to build a 5 stars Hotel in your place which will place under your care because I cannot move this money to the United States because I will be in Europe for about 3 years, so I need someone I could trust to channel the fund to as the beneficiary because I am a uniformed person and I cannot be parading such an amount so I need to present someone as the beneficiary. As an American and a Specialist officer I have a 100% authentic means of moving the funds through diplomatic means. All I just need is your acceptance for this to be done. If you are intere
I have mapped out 30% of the sum for you while 70% is for me
I hope I am been fair on this deal?

Sincerely,
Mr. James Harper (Spc).

Anti-fraud resources: