joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
 Free trial for 30 days
   jwSpamSpy
Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "ALPHA Import and Export Company" <info_rep@alpha-importandexport.net>
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2005 16:35:48 +0000
Subject: ALPHA Import and Export Company based in the UK

Dear Sir/Madam,
I represent ALPHA Import and Export Company based in the UK. My company
exports cocoa
and other goods/services for world trade. We are searching for
representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our
customers in Europe and America as well as making
payments through you as our payment officer.

Most of our customer pay out in cheques and we do not have an account in
your country that will clear this money. It is upon this note that we seek
your assistance to stand as our representative in your country.

Note that, as our representative, you will receive 10% of whatever amount
you clear for the
company and the balance will be paid into an account we will avail to you.

Please, if you are interested in this business transaction, forward to us at
my personal email address kees_van22@ yahoo.ca

the information below:

(1) Your full names,
(2) Contact address and,
(3) Phone/fax numbers.

Thank you for your time.


Very Respectfully,

Mr. Kees Van,
President,
ALPHA Import/Export co.
Goods for Import/Export
Freight Fwdg. Svcs.
Email: kees_van22@yahoo.ca



Anti-fraud resources: