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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 BRIGGS DOUGLAS <dr.briggs_doglas@sify.com>
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 18:11:35 GMT
Subject: PLEASE,VERY VERY URGENT!!

Dear Friend,
 
   Please, I know you will be shocked and surprise to receive my message but it's an opportunity for both of us to make it in life, if you can keep it as secret and folow my instruction.
 
I am Dr Briggs Douglas a bill and exchange manager in one of the reputable bank here in Burkina Faso.
 
Please I deem it vital to contact you this day, to transfer US$10.5 Million to your bank account. Please, do not be surprise to receive my message. The fund belong to our deceased customer who died with his entire family in Iraq war 2006, and subsequently leaving nobody for the claim and as such, I decided to contact you to receive the fund into your bank account.
 
I only need your honest co-operation, reliability and capability to handle this great opportunity.
Please I beg you, do not betray me when the fund is transfer into your bank account because this is my only hope and opportunity and carry the fund alone. I will offer you 40% while 60% for me.
 
This transaction is 100% legal. You can See the website covering The U.S.A Bomb Explosion:
 
Trusting to hearing from you, Please Contact me through this my private e-mail for more details: dr.briggs_doglas@sify.com
 
Thanks,
Dr. Briggs Douglas,
Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Anti-fraud resources: