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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: "Kay George" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mystery4shopper@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 18:50:20 +0100
Subject: TRANSFER

ATTN:

I understand you don’t have the $2,000.00/Fees to send to our payment center, it is my duty and responsibility as your account manager to make sure your transaction is successfully completed. If you need my assistance, then I will be more than happy to help you pay the $2,000.00 Charges, you don’t have to pay the $2,000.00 charges/Fees from your pocket only if you accept to compensate me with $200,000.00 after your $5Million winning has been successfully transfered to your account. If you accept my terms; Fill your details below so my client can over-night you a check of $2,450.00 for you to cash at your financial institution and send $2,000.00 to our payment office to have your transaction completed this week.

*First Name:
*Last Name:
*Contact Address (P.O.Box Not Required):
*City:
*State:
*Zip Code:
*Home Phone:
*Cell Phone:
*Age:
*Email Address:
*Occupation:
*Bank Name:

When emailing, please use reference number 250-153 for our mutual convenience
Sincerely,
Kay George
Welfare officer,
World Bank Creditors
+234-01-2169069


Anti-fraud resources: