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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: "Alexander Zamek" <alex_zamek2@msn.com>
Reply-To: alexzamek@indiatimes.com
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 20:23:07 +0000
Subject: Acknowledge Receipt

My Dear,
 
This is Alexander Zamek the financial Manager/Executor  of late Engineer  Randal Woods who died late last year. This is in relation to his last instruction before his death, that I should assist you process this payment. I have searched for your address for so long , but today I saw where I wrote you email in my diary.
 
Therefore, it is very important and also urgent that you confirm receipt of this mail to enable me furnish you with all legal documents to enable the commercial bank process and transfer the sum of US$9.8 million as he directed into your account.
 
Feel free to contact me for any assistance.
 
Regards.
Alexander

Anti-fraud resources: