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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Michel Miguel" <michelmiguel1@cantv.net>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:00:50 -0430
Subject: VERY URGENT REPLY NOW.

My Dear,

 

 

From: "INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$5 MILLION) this is the second time we are notifying you about these said funds. After due vetting and evaluation of your file, that was sent to us by the Ivory Coast Government in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Cote D’Ivoire. This bank has an instruction to ensure towards the immediate release of the sum of (US$8.3 Million) of your claim that has been holding since its transfer into your bank Account from their Domiciliary Account with this bank.

 

 

From our findings we understand that you have been going through ordeals by paying a lot of charges towards the release of your fund (US$8.3 Million, which has been the handwork of some miscreant elements from such Country. We advice, you stop further communication with any correspondence from any other country, or anywhere concerning your funds, since you have met up with the whole requirements.

 

   

We know your representatives in any country or anywhere in the world will advice you to go ahead with them, which will be at your own risk. Your (US$8. 3 Million) will reflect in your designated bank account within five Bank working days. Do not go through anybody again but through our bank here in Cote D’Ivoire if you really want your funds. Finally, you are advice to re-confirm these to us, your contact address, Occupation, Telephone and Fax Number for easy communication

 

Your Name……

Age……..

Sex……..

Contact Address………

Occupation……

Telephone Number…………

Fax Number......................

 

Yours

 

Sincerely, Assistance Secretary

 

Mr.Michel Miguel.

Anti-fraud resources: