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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: EUROPEAN LOTTO INTERNATIONAL <eurolotto2005@netscape.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 22:01:45 +0100
Subject: Award Notification

EUROPEAN UNION INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
INTERNATIONAL WINNERS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
Participant Number ref: MSFT/450-067
Code Number: 1278/09
ATTENTION.
Sir/Ma/Miss,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the
winners of the EURO STAKES (EUL)LOTTERY
euro lottery programs held on the 21st of
December 2004.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number
8790--454389874--786 with serial
number 4017--05 drew lucky numbers 2-39-42-47-57 which consequently
won in the 3rd category.
This promotional program takes place every three years
in different developed countries; the lottery was promoted
and sponsored by the President of the World Largest software, Bill
Gates to increase the awareness of Microsoft software packages.
All participants were selected through a computer
ballot system drawn from over 20,000
company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and
names from all over the world.
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay
of 500,000,00 euros(Five hundred thousand euros)
in cash, credited to your file

with the Participant Number ref: MSFT/450-067
Code Number: 1278/09
This is from a total cash prize of € 7,500,000.00(Seven million, five hundred thousand Euros) shared
among the fifteen international winners in this category.
Due to mix up of some numbers and names we ask that you keep your
winning information confidential until your claims
have been processed and your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol in order to
avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
To file for your claims please contact our financial
agent:


Mr. Larry Rich,
Foreign Operations Manager,
of the (HILLSTARFINANCE SERVICES AND SECURITIES),
Netherlands.
TEL: 0031-646-500-356
Email:( hillstarfinance@spinfinder.com)
remember all winning must be claimed not later than
31ST of January 2005.
after this date all unclaimed funds will be included
in the next stake.
please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and
complications endeavor to quote your reference and batch numbers in
all
first
correspondence.
furthermore, should there be any change of address do
inform our agent as soon as possible. We hope with part of your winning you will take part
in our next year 50 million euro international lottery.

Congratulations!!

Once more from our members of staff, we thank you for being part of
our
promotional program.
Note: anybody under the age of 18 is automatically
disqualified.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Kathleen Otho,

Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: