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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: "Neil R" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nelroland@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2015 11:20:11 -0700
Subject: Re: Good day. (24/08/2015)

Hello Dear
 
Good day.
 
It is important to note the high confidentiality of this message that I am sending to you; however I do apologise if it is way out of your comfort zone. Your contact is courtesy of Business online network via Internet as I decided to contact you for this beneficial transaction that is 100% risk free.
 
My name is Neil Roland and I work with one of the private security and financial firm here in South Africa.
 
During the Libya uprising Mutassim Gaddafi, the son of Muammar Gaddafi who was then the National Security Advisor of Libya had brought cash deposit to our security firm through one of his aids who was also assassinated during the uprising.
 
The amount of USD120, 000,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Million USD) was deposited for safe keeps in our security vault which I was made the sole custodian of the deposit.
 
Surprisingly I heard through the media that a private investigating team tracing late Muammar Gaddafi's assets in South Africa has uncovered some of the banks and two other security firms where his assets are located. In the reports available to me after my own investigation shows that the asset with our company has not been traced and I know it will be difficult to trace but I feel it is good to act smart and relocate the USD120, 000,000.00 immediately under another disguise so that it will never be uncovered and both of us will benefit from it.
 
What I am proposing in this message is that I want you to assist me receive this money in your country for our mutual benefit. We will split the money into two, half for you and half for me as soon as money is relocated to your country and I shall be flying down to meet with you and also to relocate my family and start a new life in your country.
 
This is totally risk free trust me; the money will be moved through a special diplomatic cargo delivery shipment to your country in CASH as it is in the metallic boxes.
 
I will give you comprehensive details regarding the movement of fund and all that needs to be done if you are interested and willing to work with me.
 
Nobody is getting hurt; this is a lifetime opportunity for us. I hold the KEY to these funds. All processes leading to the release of funds to you will be done legitimately hence my assurance that this is a risk free venture for us.
 
I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to the consequences if you should decide to turn my proposal down, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never come easy or on a platter of gold. Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should act swiftly on this. Please get back to me as soon as possible if you are interested.
 
Regards,
 
Neil.

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