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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: "Tuby Katys" <tubykatys@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Reply-To: tukatys1@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 03:47:53 +0000
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPOSAL

From;Tuby Katys
Abidjan Cote d Ivoire
E-mail;tukatys1@yahoo.fr
West Africa.

My Dear,

Greetings!
Kindly accept my apology for sending unsolicited mail to you. I believe you are a respected personality, considering the fact that I sourced your contact from a human resource profile database on your country. I am Tuby Katys, 22 years of age.
I inherited an important sum of money from my late father who was a prominent Gold and Cocoa merchant who died in recent crisis here in Cote d'Ivoire. My mother died when I was a little child in the year 1986.I wish to request for your assistance in investing this money in lucrative venture under your directives and guidiance in your country as my father suggested investment on real estate before his untimely death.
I want you to assist me for the transfer of this sum of Five million, five hundred thousand United State Dollars. (USD5.500,000)to your account in your country hence I will give you the contact of the bank where the money is so that you can contact them immediately and discuss with them since I do not know much about financial issues.
I will gladly give you some reasonable percentage from the total sum for your assistance while I pray that you do not betray me at last.
Please it is important you contact me immediately for more clarification on the next step for smooth conclusion.
Awaiting your immediate response and God bless you.
Yours Sincerely,
Tuby Katys.




Anti-fraud resources: