joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <neiltrotter1611@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:30:04 -0400
Subject: Attn Lucky Winner

Dear Friend,
 
 
Greetings to you and your family, I hope this communication finds you well. You will be curious as to why I have selected you to receive the cash sum of ($950,000.00 USD, Please see our interview by visiting the web page below: I am a car mechanic who is also a racing driver; I am winner of Euro Millions Jackpot on March 14, 2014, you can confirm from the website below.
 
 
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/18/neil-trotter-euromillions-winner_n_4984234.html
 
 
I grew up with the hope of been a millionaire one day,  I thank God for this bountiful endowed blessing which am not going to benefit alone, I have decided to help my families, friends and well wishers. I saw your profile on a list of registered email addresses provided to me by Microsoft Management Team when I disclosed my intentions to donate; your email was picked after the round table donation draw. I will like to assure you of the authenticity of my good will, this donation is not involve in any illegal acts / activities  rather is my burning desire to help others to partake from my lucky winning, we have much to give away, I believe this is my chance to help and alleviate people. I will advise you to be calm not to throw this great opportunity away because of bad feelings or ignorance, millions of people would die for this great moment because they have never been so lucky before. Reply to me if you are interested but decline if you are not;
provide the following details to enable me provide additional information for payment in timely manner.
 
 
Full Name:
Telephone number:
Age:
Occupation:
 
 
Keep this message as a surprise package for your love once but please dont be stingy with this gift because I myself gave out freely without sentiments, this donation have been clarified by the global financial board so is free from money laundry and terrorism. I am too busy with charity projects, no time to talk to you on phone but can direct you to the approved paying bank for donation release proceedings. The donation has legal personality; please disregard any person or group of people impersonating my name without providing this security reference confirmation code authorized by me (NEIL/TRTT/EURO/XXAS3), my email (neiltrotter1611@gmail.com)
 
 
God bless you and happy Celebrations in Advance.
 
 
 
Regards,
Mr.Neil Trotter
Euro Millions Lottery Winner

Anti-fraud resources: