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: "William Wilcox"<best@public.cz.js.cn>
Reply-To: <williamwilcox08@sify.com>
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 2009 08:47:52 +0100
Subject: pls read

Good day,

My name is Mr.William Wilcox, I work in the Euro Million Lottery.
I have a proposal for you. I can make you a winner of 4,528,000GBP in the ongoing Euro million online sweepstakes promo, if you are willing to share the proceeds with me 50-50.

Just a brief, you just have to register online for the lottery draws online; due to my position in the company I can make it happen that you will be a winner of the above stated amount. Obviously, everybody would like to play a lottery if they are assured of winning. I am assuring you today that you will be a winne, please do not
take for granted this once in a life time opportunity as we both stand to collectively gain from this at the success of the transaction.

Should you be willing to assist me in this transaction please send your name, address and phone number to williamwilcox08@sify.com

Regards,

Mr.William Wilcox

Anti-fraud resources: