joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: watsongerrard@handbag.com
Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2005 15:58:29 +0100
Subject: CONGRATS!!!,ACT NOW


FROM: THE DIRECTOR
EUROPEAN PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF:EL3/9318/04
BATCH:8/163/EL.

Attn:Dear Sir/Madam

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International
programs held on the 15/3/2004. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number
:EL-23133 with serial number: EL-123542,batch number: EL-35,lottery ref number:
EL-9318 and drew lucky numbers 7-1-8-36-4-22 which consequently won in the
1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
US$2,500,000.00 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States dollars)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!


Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money
Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming
and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants
were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 40,000 company
and 20,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.


This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted
and sponsored by a group of successful electronic dealers.we hope with part
of your winning,you will take part in our next year US$20 million international
lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our paying officer:


Contact Person:Mr Watson Gerrard(Lottery Director)
TEL: 31614822715
Email: watsongerrard@yahoo.co.uk

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 15th Of April 2005.After
this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please
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.
Note:
Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
yours Sincerely,
Watson Gerrard
Tell+31 614 822 715
watsongerrard@yahoo.co.uk


___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
Cheap flights - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/flights/
Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/



Anti-fraud resources: