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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: "Stephen Vincent Lucas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stephen-vlucas1959@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:51:12 +0100
Subject: I will be looking forward to hear from you.

Dear Friend,
 
 
I pray God direct my email to you in good faith, I also appreciate and thank you for reading despite it unsolicited arrival, we have not meet or known before; I hope this email will not be any form of embarrassment to you.
 
 
Investment has always long my waited dream since I left duty as the internal revenue control manager with one of the respected financial institution here in London, United Kingdom – UK. But I had recently struggle to strive the stress with meeting my family needs after all years I work devotedly as an Account manager during my days on duties.
 
 
Recently, I was summoned by the bank to present a detailed account information of one account that was fixed understand my custody; before I left duty the beneficiary column of the funds was omitted due because the depositor of the funds died along with his wife at the Asia Tsunami in December 2004.
 
 
I am communicating you today to seek your consent to a investment, as your participation with me will help me drive my fate to a success as I have not visit your country before, neither do I have idea of lucrative investment booming there in your country as the whole sum funds is worth US$7.5 Million so I shouldn’t make wrong choice on venture.
 
 
More also, I believe so much that your consent will help me in this because, with your reliability and reputation you can ease us with prompt and success can advice of idea to the funds e transfer successfully so we can proceed with investment as plan or if you have a thought of any other measure to enhance better profit.
 
 
I have strain you much in reading a very long message but you shouldn’t wary for the stress as also admit me using this means to communicate you because I still prefer internet as a safe and fast means to reach you despite its abuse by bad people in recent time, I will be looking forward to hear from you as soon possible.
 
 
Thank you,
 
 
Stephen Vincent Lucas
 
 
+44 703 593 9310
 

Anti-fraud resources: