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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: brightloo_sharon@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2005 13:40:03 +0200
Subject: ++ CONGRATULATIONS++

The international Lottery
Via Rome 124 48100 Bologna Italy
Website www.freelotto.com
WINNING NOTIFICATION:
Ref: BTLP/841O1/04
Batch: 50/50/A1

We happily announce to you the draw of the Bright
Lottery winners with the International lottery
programs held on the 20th Of January, 2005 Your e-mail
address attached to ticket
number: 3 88 606 with Serial number 04/0202 drew the
lucky numbers: 0328904411, which subsequently won you
the lottery in the category (A).
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum
of $1,000,000.00 (One million United states dollars
Only) in cash credited to file No.21300/07.This is
from a total cash prize of (20 Million Dollars,)
shared among the first Twenty (20) lucky winners in
this category (A) and Please note that your lucky
winning number falls within our European booklet
representative office in Europe as indicated in your
play coupon.
All participants were selected through a Computer
ballot system drawn from 30,000.00 companies And
20,000.00 individual email addresses and names from
all over the World such as, Australia, New Zealand,
America, Europe, North America and Asia as part of
International Promotions Program, Which is conducted
annually? Our South African agent will immediately
commence the process to facilitate the release of your
funds as soon as you contact him.
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your
winning information Confidential till your claims is
processed and your money remitted to you in whatever
manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part
of our precautionary measure to Avoid double claiming
and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
unscrupulous elements. Please be warned.

To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary
agent:
Mr. SMITH CLERK
AFRICA OFFICE COORDINATOR
679 BROWFONTEN CNR JOHANESSBOURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
Email: coordinator_clerk@clerk.com
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than
20th Of June, 2005. After this date all unclaimed
Funds and will be included in the next Stake.
Congratulations once more from all members and staffs
of this program and thank you for being part of our
promotional lottery
program.
Sincerely,

Yours faithfully,
MRS SHARON MARIO
(Italy Coor Int lott)
Online coordinator for EUROPEN NATIONAL BRIGHT LOTTERY
Sweepstakes International Program
N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the
winners will Result in disqualification and any
winner below the age Of 18years is automatically
disqualified .Please do not reply to this Mail.
Contact your Claims agent immediately.
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your
winning information confidential till your claims is
processed and your money remitted to you in whatever
manner you deem fit to claim your prize.
This is part of our precautionary measures to avoid
double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program.

Anti-fraud resources: