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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: "Thomas Shabalala" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thomasgateb@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2020 09:24:12 -0700
Subject: Urgent Attention Please

Compliments
 
How are you doing? i know you will be surprised receiving this mail
from me but i got your contact online while i doing some search.
 
Let me start by introducing myself to you I am Mr. Thomas Shabalala, a
banker from South Africa, one of our client (Late Dr. Anibal Botross)
died many years ago leaving behind Capital amount (USD $ 5.6 Million)
in our bank here where i work, I was his account manager ,till date
nobody has come forward or put application for the claim. Late Dr.
Anibal Botross died alongside his wife and only child.
 
I want you to come forward since I can provide you with the details
needed for you to claim the funds so that I can be gratify by you,
that i will do all the crucial part in the bank to have the claim
release to you promptly then we share the total funds. Please you
should understand that this business will fetch us some big money
within 7 days.
 
I WILL GIVE YOU 50% OF THE USD $ 5.6 Million AS YOUR PERCENTAGE IN
THIS BUSINESS.
 
As soon as i receive your reply i will forward the bank contact
details and an application form which you will send to the bank so you
can contact the bank for immediate transfer of the total funds to your
bank account.
 
Best Regards
Mr. Thomas Shabalala
Mobile: +27-63-23-95-492
 

Anti-fraud resources: