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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: Konnect Services <konnectservices@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 02:06:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONSIDER


Attention: Sir ,
Good day. I am sorry for sending this unsolicited mail which I term as interfering with your privacy but it is the situation of things that has made me send you this proposal for your consideration. I got your contact in my search for reliable personalities on the internet.I am Mr M Sheikh,a financial consultant and solicit your co-operation for a transaction involving the claiming and eventual transfer of funds to your nominated bank account in relation to 13.5 Million USD coupled with 15Kg of Gold presently with a finance and securities company and was deposited by my late client, Mr Michelle Tete Kokou,a gold and precious stones merchant  in the year 2005 and he died 2008 with no known heir apparent.I will want to pass the information that during his lifetime, he was married to a German woman (late) but later divorced with no kids with her. I want you to know that it is the finance and securities company that instructed me after the death of my late
client to produce the next of kin and beneficiary to the deposited funds.Furthermore, since I have been unable to locate any of the relative of my late client  Mr Michelle  Tete Kokou with my intensive search for four years, hence I contacted you so that I will with your consent  present you to the finance and securities company  as the surviving relative to my deceased client Mr Michelle Tete Kokou.Sir,I know that after sometime,it is normal that the board of directors of institutions of this nature just liquidate everything since it has remain dormant for this long and decided to take this step. I will once again want to assure you of my sincerity in this transaction and solicit your absolute cooperation so that we can come to a compromise.
Your co-operation will entail me preparing relevant documents making you the next-of-kin legally with scientific precision to the finance and securities company and assure you of the confidentiality and security.
Upon your positive response,I will send you proofs for your perusal and appeal for your support to crown this transaction a success. For your understanding, co-operation and assistance,I am ready to offer you 40% of the total and thank you in anticipation.
Regards,
Mr M Sheikh 

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