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: "YUKOS OIL" <alexvessin01@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 03:06:01 +0000
Subject: HELLO FRIEND

Hello Friend,
I am Dr. Alex Vessin. and I represent Mr. Mikhail Khordokovsky the
former C.E.O of Yukos Oil Company in Russia. I have a very sensitive
and
confidentialbrief from this top (oligarch) to ask for your partnership
in
re-profiling funds US$42.3 Million. I will give the details, but in
summary,
the funds are coming via Bank Menatep. This is a legitimate
transaction. You
will be paid 10% for your "Management Fees".
If you are interested, please write back by email:dr_vessin@yahoo.ca.
and provide me with your confidential telephone number,fax number and
email address and I will provide further details and instructions.
Please
keep this confidential; we can't afford more political problems.
Finally, please note that this must be concluded within two
weeks.Please
write back promptly.Write me back. I look forward to it.
Regards,
Dr. Alex Vessin.


Anti-fraud resources: