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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: "L. Chung" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:09:00 -0800
Subject: Awaiting Your Urgent Reponse

First, I must apologize in advance if the contents of this email do not meet with your approval, I humbly crave your indulgence.

My name is L. Chung, I am an importer and exporter of fertilizers Privately owned Based in Hong Kong.

I need a proxy to collect this money for me, hence this proposal to you. This transaction does not require any financial commitment of any sort from you. All you need
to do is to collect this fund on our behalf and I will reward you handsomely.

I can be reached via email for more details. Like I stated earlier, this transaction does not require any financial commitment from you and also note that I did not solicit for this fund, hence this does not constitute a bribe.

Should this you are interested in this proposal, please furnish me with the following information to enable me commence the paperwork for the successful execution of this project.

Full name, address, age, and telephone number.


Regards,

L. Chung.

Anti-fraud resources: