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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: "Dr.Donald Cox" <alansmith2908@att.net>
Reply-To: w_u_mdirector2010@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:41:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: NOW CONTACT WESTERN UNION AGENT FOR THE COLLECTION





Good Day!
 
Be informed  that we have concluded arrangement to effect the payment of your (1.2 million) dollars Through western union money transfer. This is to let you know that $7,000.00,USD dollars has been sent today in your name by Charles Morris,through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of USD $1.2 Million,one Million and Two Hundred Thousand Dollars via western union by this governement.
 
 
Contact Western Union Agent,
 
Name: Dr.Donald Cox,
Tel: +447024059569.
E-mail:(w_u_mdirector2010@hotmail.com) 
 
 
Then you have to tell him to give you the Mtcn control number,Sender Name, Test Question/Answer to pick up your $7000.00, with other transfers to follow up as schedule until you receive the total amount $1.2 MillionUSD dollars tallied up for you. Please let me know as soon as you received all your funds (USD$1.2 Million) one Million Two and Hundred Thousand   Dollars.Though i am out of country for now as i an having a crucial meeting with some top officials. 
 
THANKS
 
ALAN SMITH

Anti-fraud resources: