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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Ahmed El-Rufia" <ahmed_el_rufia@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 06:04:53 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION

ATTENTION:

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR GENERAL OFFICE
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
ABUJA - NIGERIA.
DIRECT LINE: +234-8034714006

I WILL LIKE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF FIRTSLY.

I AM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE OFFICE OFTHE VICE
PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPULIC OF NIGERIA.

I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU IRRESPECTIVE OF THE
TRANSACTION AT HAND. THERE IS AN OVER PAYMENT DRAFT
IN THE MINISTRY THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED AND WE ARE
NOW LOOKING FOR A FOREIGN PARTNER THAT WE WILL
TRANSFER THE MONEY INTO HIS OR HER ACCOUNT.

ON YOUR REPLY AND GIVING AN INTEREST TO HANDLE THIS,
I WILL GIVE YOU THE FULL INFORMATION. YOU WILL NOW
CONTACT THE VICE PRESIDENT ON THAT.

THANKS.

FOR: VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA.
DR. AHMED EL RUFIA (DG).


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