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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: michael Duffs <michaelduffs@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:36:16 -0800
Subject: OPEN OFFER!!!

Hello,

I know the Internet is not the best place for this discussion because many
people have abused the Internet with a lot of stories about transfer of
money, inheritance, marriage scam and so on and so forth. So, the Internet
is not safe because you may link this letter to be one of that same rubbish
but it is not I assure you.

This is a simple proposal of understanding and requires a matured mind to
figure out the benefits in the long run.I work with the customs department
and stationed at the international airport,as the head of operations.Some
time last year,a woman was arrested by my department in the course of trying
to leave the country with 40kilograms of Gold bars without the proper
documentation.She was release on account that, the paperwork will be
provided to enable her travel with her goods.But until now,no words from
her,which leaves us with the absolute understanding that she is one of those
frivolous people who engage the local miners in a deal of selling the goods
and remitting their proceeds after sales which never happens afterwards.

However,the commodities is still under the care of my department and would
be confiscated if we don't receive any claims for it before the end of next
month.In respect to this,i want us to work together to get the gold shipped
out to your location where you can sale and we share the proceeds on a fifty
fifty basis.I will provide you with the necessary documentation to cover for
this.But one thing i have to make clear is this,the change of ownership
certificate expenses will be borne by you which will be duly reimburse upon
the receipt and sale of the commodities.If this goes down well with you,then
intimate me with your full names and address,contact phone number and a
valid identification for us to open communication and seal this withing the
next 5-working days.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michael Duffs.

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