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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: John William <john_wiilliam505@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 10:02:54 +0100 (BST)
Subject: ATTENTION MY GOOD FRIEND [URGENT REPLY]


Dear Friend,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise, First of all I want you to Know that this is not a scam mail because based on what is going on all over the internet world, people find it very difficult to believe things like this any more.

If you can guarantee me from your own side, your trust,honestly I will be able to work with you.I will appreciate if you can come down your self and see things for your self before we proceed and this will make things clearer for you.But Why I am sending you this letter, I think if that situation has a place in internet,may be one out of 1000 has a real fund for transaction.

I am a banker by profession from Nigeria in West Africa and currently holding the post of operation manager in our bank. I have the opportunity of transferring the leftover funds($7.5 million dollars) of one of my bank clients who died along with his entire family on 31 July 2000 in a plane crash.

In accordance with the West African Trust and Federal Laws, at the expiration of 8 (eight) years, his investments with our Financial Trust Shall revert to ownership of the government of the country of the said Investments if nobody apply as the next of kin to claim the investments.

If this proposal is acceptable to you, kindly indicate your full Interest by sending to me as below to my confidential emailaddress: j_wiilliam505@yahoo.com


Hence, I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared between us in the ratio of 70/30 if you agree to my business proposal.Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail immediately as soon as you receive this letter.

With friendly greetings,
Mr.John William.

Nb: The information contained in this e-mail may be confidential and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee Access, copying,use of the e-mail or any information contained therein by any other person is not authorized.If you are not the intended recipient please notify us immediately by returning the e-mail to the originator.

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Sent from Yahoo! Mail.
A Smarter Email.

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