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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: "Ben Ani" <benani_2005@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: benani1@o2.pl
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 11:04:58 +0000
Subject: re:awaiting your immediate reply

Dear Friend,
I am Mr.Ben Ani,a consulting auditor, Finiacial Trust bank,Lagos Nigeria
During the course of my auditing work with my client bank late last year,I
discovered an account worth $20,500,000.00 opened in the bank in 2001 by a
Foreigner, a south african, Late Mr.John Wood,who died in a plane crash.
Can you help me to transfer the fund into your account?
Accept my warm regards as I await yourresponse through my email
address,include also your paticulars,such as your private telephone,your
mailing address,your occupaction,the full bank account particulars where the
fund will be transfered into.
Note that the sharing of the fund will be as follows 40% for your
asistance,5% for the re pay back of all the expenses that must be
incuired,including the telephone calls that will made if well documented
while 55% will be for me.
Sincerely,
Mr.Ben Ani


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