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"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.

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Muhamad Kuyembeh." <muhamad9r@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: muhamadgr@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sat, 3 Jun 2006 20:24:48 +0200
Subject: PLEASE YOUR REPLY IS URGETLY NEEDED

Dear friend:
How are you doing. I have a matter of utmost interest. On agreeable
terms, perhaps you may find my enterprise pleasant.
On October 31, 1999 -- An EgyptAir Boeing 767 went down in the
Atlantic Ocean off the Massachusett's state island of Nantucket on a
flight from New York to Cairo with 212 people on board. All
passengers perished.

Now, aboard the above Airbus was a Harry Bernstein (Mr.)A choice
Client with our establishment here at Banco de Cabo Verde, Praia,
Cape Verde. A citizen of Canada by virtue of birth, Mr. Bernstein on
the 16th of June 1999 established a Premium Account with Banco de
Cabo Verde.
Worth Thirty Six Million US Dollars including Bonds, this Deposit
has now been scheduled for transfer on to the Bank's Private Tresury
as a Class P-16/Unclaimed. This is a routine decision, prompted by
failed efforts to isolate relatives.
Now, You see, I would not have it so, so I am having this money
redirected, perhaps, disbursed to a proxy. A gesture based on mutual
interest. This, my friend, prompts me to write you. I work with Bank
of Cape Verde. I handle Special Accounts. I solicit your
cooperation. I seek a proxy. I have 25% put up for the friend i
seek. Perhaps, you are the angel I seek? Time is rather of essence.
Contact me forthwith, email muhamadgr@yahoo.co.uk
Mr Muhamad Kuyembeh.
Bank of Cape Verde.
Praia, Cape Verde. West Africa


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