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: "STEVEN YOUNG" <stevenyoung0019@ig.com.br>
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:36:39 +0200
Subject: Dearest Friend,


* Dearest Friend,*

*I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund
transferred. Now I want you to contact my secretary on his email address
below and receive your compensation of $1,2 MILLION US DOLLARS from him:*

*NAME:Mr JOE BENARD
EMAIL: ( **joeben45@hotmail.fr* <joeben45@hotmail.fr>* )*

*Kindly reconfirm to him the following below information:
Your full name_________________________
Your address__________________________
Your country___________________________
Your age______________________________
Your occupation________________________
Your Phone number______________________*


*Note that if you did not send him the above information complete, he will
not release the cheque to you because he has to be sure that it is you. Ask
him to send you the total sum of ($1.200,000.00 )USD CASHIER'S CHEQUE ,which
I kept for you. Note also that I will not be reached by email or phone for
now because I am currently away in Japan for investment purpose with my
share and I will be busy till about six months time or a year.*

*Best regards,
Dr, STEVEN YOUNG*

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

Anti-fraud resources: