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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: "Henry William" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <henrywilliamm00@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 20:11:39 +0530
Subject: SORRY FOR ENCROACHING INTO YOUR PRIVACY

Hello,

I am Henry William I served in the Libyan presidency on defense and my
status put me in a position of responsibility and authority. I am interested
in doing business with you as I am in possession of some funds, US$ 45
Million Dollars, which I wish to; invest as a matter of Urgency through you.

If you are conversant with public issues, Libya recently went through
terrible strive/civil war. I was mandated as Head of Delegation to South
Africa to purchase arms/ ammunitions by the government of Libya (Gadhafi's
Government).

I had already finished negotiations and had received this said sum and was
in South Africa when I learnt of the death of Colonel Moammar Gadhafi. I
immediately stopped all negotiations on the arms purchase as the funds was
already in an escrow account as funds meant for Offshore investment with the
space of the Fund Manager left blank.

Presently, the existence of this money is unknown to any body and is backed
up by a Certificate of Clean fund issued by the South African Government
absolving the money from drugs or money laundering activities. I find it
necessary to invest this money offshore in a viable business venture through
your company or your personal guidance and assistance.

I have worked on the whole arrangement and only expect your favorable
response to put the machinery into motion that will further our mutual
personal and business relationship. I have made a solid arrangement which
are absolutely smooth and will ensure no delays once we work hand in hand
with each other. I await your esteemed response while counting on your sense
of confidentiality, as it is my desire for this to be done as directly as
possible. I will offer you 20% of the total money and the remaining 80% will
be for my investment in your country.

This is a deal and I would appreciate if we keep it that way, in any case
you are not interested then do not bother responding, just ignore the
conversation.

Regards,
Henry William
henrywilliamm00@gmail.com

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