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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: "M. Reza R." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ezarr1@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2016 17:27:58 -0700
Subject: GET BACK TO ME ASAP

Dear friend'
I'm writing from Syria. was connected to you by a comrade who was killed in the war few weeks ago.
 
I need you to assist me move my family fortune valued US$15M to your country and buy us a house and as well as help us move out of Syria for resettlement.
I have concluded arrangements with the bank for the relocation of the funds to any part of the world where the money will be well secured for immediate investment. To this end, I will be very glad to link you with the bank if you are willing to assist me relocate the funds. Your involvement and assistance in this project  will attract 10% of the total sum.
 
I will appreciate your earliest response.
Regards,
M. Reza R.

Anti-fraud resources: