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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "john white" <john_white123@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mark_don200@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 22:32:56 +0000
Subject: mark

Attention: Friend.

Please Sorry I write you this mail. I write from
South Africa. I am a Cubana man working with the
British American Tobacco Holdings (SA) Ltd.

I want to tell you about a Forty Five Million
Dollars (45m)
arrangement that we have move via the South African
Diplomatic
means. I need you to help me to receive this money
through a diplomatic
transport means. I have met with a top diplomat who
will handle all
about the transportation.

We look your good self to help me if you can, to be
the one that will take the delivery from South
Africa. All shipment
arrangement is in place. No one knows that what we
are shipping via
South African immunity is money ok. If you confirm
your are ready
now, I will detail you with the diplomat address so
that you can
contact her immediately. No time wasting at all.

My Fear is, is too much money by cash. Can you
handle it when it comes
to you?
How will you pay it in to the Bank?
Can you do it? No joke about this. Reply me all is
moving
This business you don't tell any one
ok. Send your
contact numbers and only reply via email.

Thank you very much

mark


Anti-fraud resources: