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: "John Mills" <j_mills1@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2005 14:03:38 +0000
Subject: REPRESENTATIVE HELP NEEDED

Dear friend,
I represent JOHN MILLS IMPORT AND EXPORT PLC based in Ghana. My company
markets and exports cocoa beans 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.
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, to facilitate the
conclusion of this transaction if accepted, do send me promptly by
Email:info_mills0@excite.com the following is needed :
(1)Your full names,
(2)Contact address and,Phone/fax numbers.
Thank you for your time.
Very Respectfully,
JOHN MILLS.
CEO
JOHN MILLS EXPORT LTD
<http://www.johnmills.5u.com>.
phone :+233 444 46 81 20
Fax :+233-19-416161.



--

Anti-fraud resources: