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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: "Mr Solomon Otto" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <solomonotto27@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:29:28 -0800
Subject: Good Day

Good Day,         
My name is Mr Solomon Otto, a private financial consultant. I am Soliciting On-Behalf of a private Client of my bank, who holds a Government Position in his Country and wishes to invest some
 
funds (US$18Million) in your country. I came across your data via a private search.
What You Will Be required to do;
[1] Set up a new bank account to receive the Funds in your country via Bank to Bank Transfer.
[2] Invest and Manage the Funds Profitably on His Behalf for a minimum of 6 years pending when he will be out of office in 2016.
My Client is willing to negotiate Management Sharing Percentage upon your Acceptance. I shall expect to hear from you urgently as this is of high Priority. I shall make available to you all
 
necessary documentations, directives and possibly arrange a meeting prior to the commencement of the transaction at the bank where the funds is deposited. Please fill the below form and
 
send to me when replying.
Full Name:
Full Address:
Telephone Number:
Mobile Number:
Age:
Occupation:
Your Email:
Country of Origin:
Sex:
Due to my client’s reputation and the source of funds, we will appreciate if you treat this matter as top confidential.   Please get back to me urgently on receipt of this message, I can be
 
reached via the below number and email.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Solomon Otto
TEL: +27-60-443-3568
EMAIL: mrsolomon.otto@yahoo.co.za

Anti-fraud resources: