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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:
Date: 31 January 2005 9:15:22 AM
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!

NETXPRESS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
(affiliated to the british lottery board and national lottery distribution fund)
173-183, Gloucester Place, London, NW1 6DX, UNITED KINGDOM.

Ref. Number: 132/756/4509
Batch Number: 538901527-Bc68
Ticket Number: 27522465896-6453

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Winners in our NEW YEAR International Lottery Program held on the 25th Day of JANUARY, 2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 27522465896-6453 with serial number 3772-554 drew lucky numbers 7-14-18-31-45 which consequently won in the 2ND category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of 1,250,000 EUROS
(ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND EUROS)

CONGRATULATIONS!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims have been fully processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid multiple claims and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. 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. This promotional program takes place every five years.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by a conglomerate of some multinational companies in Europe as part of their social responsibility to the citizens in the communities where they have operational bases. We hope with part of your winnings you will take part in our next year Ten million Euros international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact your solicitor/fiducial agent:MR GEORGE B.WILLIAMS (GEORGE WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES)Email:info@georgewilliamchambers.com)

Remember all winning must be claimed not later than 20th of FEBUARY, 2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the nextstake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

Yours Faithfully,
MR.JONATHAN MEYERS
INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY (COORDINATOR)

P.S:Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winner will result to disqualification and render the result void.Contact your claims/fudiciary agent MR GEORGE WILLIAMS.Your winning prize has been assigned to him for processing.

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