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: "Mark Terry" <mark_terry@mark-terry.org>
Reply-To: markterry7@yahoo.co.in
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 02:14:02 +0000
Subject: Good Business opportunity

Dear Sir,
I write to you based on a request by an investor and his need for
investment/funding in your country. My name is Mark terry, a financial
consultant and I work with a reputable financial services firm. My company
most times represents the interests of very wealthy investors. Due to the
sensitivity of the position they hold in thier society and the unstable
investment environment of their country, they evacuate majority of their
funds into more stable economies and developed nations where they can get
good yield for their money. I was recently approached by a Reserved Client,
whom I had personally worked with a few years ago with a proposal. What he
request is an individual such as yourself, who will be willing to receive
money on his behalf abroad, and put it to good use for a period not
exceeding 6 years for a start. The client hasoffered these terms: 1. 10%
commission paid to me and my foreign partner of the total funds successfully
evacuated. The funds in question are over 15.2Million USDollars. 2. The
funds will be used by the foreign partner for six years as a loan without
any interest. That is, you do not pay any interest on the money but you give
the client 50% of all profits after tax that accrued from the use of the
funds. If these terms are agreeable to you, kindly let me know and I will
provide you with all necessary information and procedures involved.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Mark terry
PS* The client is willing to make available the fund to your possession and
in your country within 3days of confirmation of your capabilities


Anti-fraud resources: