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: ROSANNA LUI <lui.33@osu.edu>
Reply-To: sec.white.cole@live.com
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:49:37 +0100
Subject: Claims Requirements

=3CBR=3E=3CBR=3E You have been approved for a lump sum payout US=24500=2C= 000=2E00=2Cin cash credited to file XYL/26510460037/06=2E =3CBR=3EWe are pleased to inform you today of the result of the winners = of the 2008 CHEVRON/TEXACO INTERNATIONAL ONLINE=A0 DONATION GRANT PROGRA= MME=2Cheld in sept this year=2EYou are to contact the EXECUTIVE SECETARY= with =3CBR=3Eyour Qualification numbers (N-222-6747=2CE-900-56)=2E =3CBR=3EYou are advised to get back to us via email=2CContact White Cole= =2C=A0 = =3CBR=3Ewhite=2Ecole08=40live=2Ecom =3CBR=3EClaims Requirements=3A =3CBR=3ERegards=2C =3CBR=3EMRS=2EROSANNA LUI=3CBR=3E=3CBR=3E

Anti-fraud resources: