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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: "Richard Silva" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mikeolu.254@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 22:24:06 -0800
Subject: APPRECIATION OF YOUR PAST EFFORTS

Dear Friend,

Hope this mail finds you in an excellent condition of health. You may not understand why this mail came to you. If you do not remember me, have received an email from me in the past regarding a Multi-million-dollar business proposal which we did not conclude.

I am using this opportunity to inform you that the transaction has been concluded with another person who financed it to a logical conclusion. I thank you for your great effort towards the unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.

I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of the bank to my new partner's account in London that was capable of assisting me in this great venture. In view of the efforts and truthfulness you exhibited during the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and express gratitude to you with the sum of US$500,000.00. I have left an international certified bank Cheque for you worth $500,000.00 cashable anywhere in the world.

I advise you to contact my secretary: MR. MICHEAL OLU, for the collection of the certified bank Cheque. I have authorized him to release it to you as soon as you contact him regarding this issue.

At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects which myself and the new partner are having at hand. Please I would want you to accept this token in good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart. Also comply with MR. MICHEAL OLU to enable him send the Cheque to you without any delay. Do contact him using the understated
co-ordinates:

NAME : MR. MICHEAL OLU
EMAIL : mikeolu.254@gmail.com
TELEPHONE#: +234-808-966-7776

Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number / your address where you want him to send the Cheque to you.

Thanks and God bless you and your family, hope to hear from
you soon.

Mr. Richard Silva.
+234-808-966-7776

Anti-fraud resources: