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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "EXIM BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unt4422453@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:59:46 -0700
Subject: *****SPAM***** **REQUEST FOR AN INHERITANCE FUND**

Dear Sir/Ma,
 
 
How are you today? I am writing to you for an opportunity that will benefit us both immensely.I have discovered an abandoned overdue inheritance fund and I have made several attempts to locate any of my late client's extended relatives and this has proved unsuccessful.
 
 
After several unsuccessful attempts to locate any member of his family, I contacted you and I am contacting you to assist in claiming and receiving the funds left behind by the late customer before they get confiscated or declared unclaimed. If you are interested in this transaction,kindly get back to me asap so that i can give the full details about this transaction.
 
 
I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible.
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
From Treasury Department.
The Export-Import Bank of China.

Anti-fraud resources: