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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. Franz. Williams" <damcamanagementna@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 03:58:16 -0800
Subject: From The African Union (AU)


Dear sir

Based on the scam reports we received, the International Police and the
African Union (AU) in collaboration G20 Anti-fraud team are making sure
that internet fraud is eradicated from the European and African continent
and the world at large. The Internet Service Providers have noticed the
increased email trafficking, originating
from Africa and Europe to other continents, hence the action of the
Security Operatives.

In this regard, three hundred and six (306) scam artistes have been
arrested and convicted so far and arrest is still on. We have also
recovered the total sum of US$437.8 Billion from them, both cash and assets
confirmed to have come from their victims. We have also found email
addresses of victims in their address books including YOURS. It is at this
juncture that we are contacting you.

The African Union (AU) supported by the world’s G20 are making refunds of
US 10.5 million dollars each to victims whom their email addresses are
listed on the scam artiste's address books and also paying fully all those
who were defrauded in pursuit of their legal Contract, Lottery Winning or
Inheritance funds.Please be informed that you are among the first Group to
received they payment. A payment form will be send to you and your request
but if you decide to decline the payment,
kindly inform this commission.

Regards

Mr. Franz W.

Anti-fraud resources: