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: "Captain Micheal Lewis" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captainml@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:01:25 -0000
Subject: Investment Assistance.

Greetings,
 
My name is Michael Lewis an American soldier serving in the Armored Division in Afghanistan. As you know, we are being attacked by insurgents everyday and car bombings. Based on the United States legislative and executive decision for gradual troop withdrawal process in Afghanistan, I have applied for honorable discharge based on the grounds of reduction in force (RI) as demanded by Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
 
Without wasting much time, I would want to confide in you that I have in my possession the sum of $10,500,000 USD ( Ten Million five hundred thousand Dollars) which i made from Oil export deals with the Locals here in Afghanistan.I have this money in a red cross consignment box cealed and awaiting delivery. I have been waiting for a moment like this to put the money in good use with the help of a reputable and sincere person for investment purposes. This is the reason for contacting you.
 
 
I am ready to compensate you with 20% of the funds. The only thing I require from you is to help me receive this funds once i move the money out of Afghanistan because Afghan is a war zone and also am a uniform man i can not parade with such an amount.
 
I have already mapped out a strategy of using Red Cross diplomatic means to move the money out of Afghanistan to your country as I shall inform the diplomat that the box contains your personal research materials. If you are interested I will send you the full details. Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including the following information such as
 
(1) Your full names
(2) Your full address
(3) Your Direct Telephone number.
(4) Age And Occupation
 
In less than four days, the money with my box shall be in your possession. I shall provide you with the full details as soon as I receive your response.Right now I am very careful with the way I communicate so as to reduce any kind of risk until this money is finally in your custody.
 
I shall be communicating to you through email alone because our phone conversation might be monitored by our Military backup device,I am doing this on trust, so I would want you to put aside any act of greed as we have a lot to gain in this business relationship.
 
 
Reply via my private Email: captainml@rediffmail.com
 
Awaits your urgent response.
 
Regards,
Captain Michael Lewis

Anti-fraud resources: