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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Hans Schnider" <han_sch12@critterpost.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: han_sch2@yahoo.com.mx
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 11:55:09 +0100
Subject: MAIL ME.......

My name is Hans Schnider . I am a German Citizen ,
resident in Germany . I am also a sales manager in a
consultancy firm here .

My company is mandated to source for reliable
investors the world over to invest available funds in
profitable business ventures .

This is why I am making this contact .

This funds are made available by some third world
leaders and the pool is close to half a billion US
dollars . Depending on your experience and the
proposal you will forward to us, we will determine a
suitable amount to remit to you to kick off the
business you intend to invest in .

You will manage this business without interference for
a period of three years , after which, the profit on
investment will be shared after taxation .

The investment areas is not limited and may include
new businessess or injection of funds into an existing
firm that , of course , is profit oriented. Bearing in
mind that you are not authorised to invest in public
companies or government agencies , you can incorporate
a firm fully owned by you based on the laws of your
country or invest this money in a private company as a
share holder .

You can equally trade stock or export and import goods
as may be profitable . Fresh funds may also be
invested to enlarge the business if the prospects is
good .

All these are without ANY liability to you as this
is a risk that the fund owners are ready to take .

You will be required to meet with us to finalise
arrangements on how to move the agreed funds into your
account and sign related documents that will authorise
you to manage this money on our behalf .

A draft agreement will be forwarded to you to enable
us finetune all gray areas and ensure a smooth take
off .

Please reply to this mail and I will forward more
information to you . Also bear in mind that no funds
will be required from you at all, as all we need is to
assertain your credibility, resourcefullness and
experience .

Please include your telephone numbers in your reply
.

I earnestly await your response.

Regards,

Hans



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