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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "DENZELOUS JOE ." <denzelousjoe@msn.com>
Reply-To: denzelous_joe@msn.com
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 10:52:44 +0000
Subject: Prompt Response Needed.

Good day to you.
I have to start by introducing myself to you. I am Denzelous Joe, the
Assistant Head of Delegation to the Government of Sao Tome & Principe in
West Africa for the Consortium of Chevron Texaco, ExxonMobil and
Dangote-Energy Equity Resource EER, in Sao Tome & Principe Joint Venture
Development Area.

I got your contact on the Internet and want to contact you for assistance in
a transaction, which involves certain amount of money deposited in a
security company in Europe. Sincerely, I would want us to discuss more on
this transaction as partners because it involves a certain amount which the
code of conduct bureau forbids me from possessing based on my position as a
public servant in my country.
Nevertheless, once your interest is indicated in a return mail, more details
on this transaction would be made known to you. Also certified documents
that would be needed would be provided as well.
Finally, I do look forward to a positive response from you.
Thank you for an anticipated co-operation.
Yours faithfully
Denzelous Joe


Anti-fraud resources: