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: "brian william" <goldenunity@peru.com>
Reply-To: williambruk@inMail24.com
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 21:27:36 +0100
Subject: From Mr.Brian William


Financial Expert/Oakhill House,
130 Tonbridge Road,Hildenborough,
Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9DZ,
United Kingdom.

I am contacting you in good faith and this proposal will be of mutual
benefit for us.I have a business proposal in the tune of £230,000.000.00[Two
Hundred & Thirty Million British Pounds Sterling} to be transferred to any
safe account with your assistance. I have every possibility & advantages for
the proceeds of this account to be paid to you and then both of us can share
the money, 55% to me and 45% to you.Can I trust you on this?Please i will
like to make it very clear to you that this business have been legalised by
British Goverment and our sucess is guranteed.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a concrete special arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of law. I will not fail to bring to
your notice that this transaction is hitch-free and you should not entertain
any fears as the required arrangements have been made for the completion of
this transfer.This money was secretly placed/deposited for an Investment
before the late holder died and none of his families or relatives knows
about this money,so it's discovered during an annual audition. If you can be
trusted and capable to handle this business with me in full confidence &
trust, please send me the following information for documentation purpose:

(1). Full names:
(2). Private phone numbers:
(3). Current residential address:
(4). Occupation:
(5). Age and Sex:
{6}.Your Full Banking Coordinates.

I look forward hearing from you.

Kind Regards.

Mr. Brian William

Anti-fraud resources: