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: "fredrick baker" <fredrickbaker77@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 16:15:31 +0000
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Kindest Attention,
I am MR.Fredrick Baker director of operations with Volks Bank in London, my
late customer an expatriate was killed in an unknown circumstances and
before his death he had some unclaimed treasury bills (Bonds) with
volksBank in London. I decided to search for any of my late customer's
relative which have been very difficult for me before those treasury
bills(Bonds) get confisticated or declared unserviceable by the bank.
In 2002 he invested in treasury bill bonds here in London in my bank
totalling 15.3 million pound sterlings which was due to be collected in 2004
with acrued dividends.On my yearly appraisal of my customer at the turn of
every year, I discovered that his investment is overdue for retrieval.I put
up series of mail to Mr George Reid which were sent back uncollected.I later
discovered that He passed on in february 2004.I tried to contact any of his
relatives but to no avail, hence I decided to contact you to come in as his
next of kin. I will prepare every operation that will assist your claim, The
treasury bills(Bonds) will be released to you within 10 working days after
you have filed in for claims.For your assistance you shall have 35% of the
entire sum.This transaction is 100% risk free and any risks will be on me as
the director of operations so be rest assured.
I would want you to send me your full names your phone number and your
mailing address to enable me talk to you before I send you the certificate
of deposit.As soon as I hear from you, I will send you the documents and
other relevant information relating to this transaction.I believe in
confidentiality and openess with regard to this transaction. I will like you
to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible via my
private EMAIL:(fred1004_baker@yahoo.co.uk) and treat with absolute
confidentiality and sincerity.I look forward to your quick reply.
Sincerely,
MR.Fredrick Baker
Tel:+44-7040-121-641


Anti-fraud resources: