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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: Mr.John Smith <executivedirectorsmith@directormail.com>
Reply-To: executivedirectorjohn1@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:56:19 +1100
Subject: Hello

FROM:DR JOHN SMITH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE
COMPANY

Dear Friend,

I feel quite safe and satisfy dealing with you in this Mutual Beneficial
transaction.Though, this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I
choose to reach you through it because it Still remains the fastest,
surest and most secured Medium of communication.However, this
correspondence is purely private, and it should be treated as such. l
also guarantee you that This deal is hitch free from all what you may
think of And I encourage you to read it to the end so that you Can
understand it very well.I am DR John Smith, Executive Director in charge
of Claims and Indemnity of Prudential Insurance Company.I am contacting
you based on Trust and confidentiality that will be attached to this deal
for the benefit of both of us.The Management and the Legal /Treasury
Department of This Prudential Insurance Company in a recent meeting,
Recommended that the account of MR. ROBERT FINKELSTEIN, who maintained a
Life Assurance Policy, should be declared Dormant and confiscated Hence
moving his unclaimed benefits funds to t
following:
NAME: ----------------------
SURNAME: ----------------
SEX: ----------------------
AGE:-----------------------
DOB:--------------------
MARITAL:------------------
COUNTRY:-------------
CITY:------------------
STATE:---------------
ZIP CODE:-----------------
CONTACT ADDRESS-------------------
PHONE NO# :-------------------
MOBILE NO. -----------------------
FAX NO#-------------------------
OCCUPATION:-----------------
POSITION: -------------------
DATE:------------------------
The transaction will be done successfully and smoothly completed via
email and phone. Send your full name, address and telephone number to me
via email urgently today so that I will call you for discussions. I
PROMISE that you must be happy and shall rejoice greatly soonest for
co-operating with me in this transaction.After successful conclusion of
this transaction, we shall share the money 40-60 (40% for you and 60% for
me). I await your good response today. Thanks and remain bless.I require
you to maintain the confidentiality of this transaction because it is
important due to the fact that I am still in active services to the
Prudential Insurance Company. Your earliest response to this matter is
very important.

I AM WAITING YOUR REPLY TODAY.
Best Regards,
DR John Smith
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY


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