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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: "vivian_salem001" <vivian_salem001@terra.com.mx>
Date: Sat, 15 Jul 2006 18:57:22 -0600
Subject: INVESTMENT


ATTN
In my quest for trustworthy and reliable person who can assist me to handle this great business opportunity that is at my disposal, I decided to search , and I privately made a confidential search where I got your esteemed contact. I choose to propose this to you, with the believe that you will run to my assistance.
My name is mrs vivian Salem Mate.wife of late Salem Nasim of Iraq. Some time ago, I lost my husband Nasim and three children - Husam, 15 years old , Wasim, 12 years old and Merna, 6years old, when a Combatant Military Tank Shelled our car as my family attempted to flee from heavy fighting in Baghdad,
You may View the Website below for full Story of how I lost my family .
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/04/vivians_story/html/1.stm
Though I knew my late husband was into crude oil and contracts, but I did not have the knowledge that he moved such huge amount of funds in cash. This came as a shock to me after his death and I have decided to have this funds invested immediately, hence I sincerely propose to you to render me your most needed assistance in this regard.
Before my husband and my Children was killed, he Deposited the sum of $22.5million ( Twenty-two million, five hundred thousand united states Dollars) with a Security & Finance company in Baghdad. Having discoverd this, I contacted a Diplomat who is attached to the United Nation Peace Keeping Forces in Baghdad and he assured me of assisting me to move the Box through Diplomatic Cargo out of Baghdad if I have a trusted partner to receive it on my behalf.
All I need from you now is to receive the Fund as my husband business Associate and place it into any Lucrative Investment of your choice in your country. I am proposing a 20% of the $22.5million to you for your assistance and the use of your banking facilities. Above all, I solicit your trust in this transaction and will not want you to betray me at the end as this is all I have left now.

If this proposal interests you, please furnish me with the underlisted requirements immediately.
through my private Email address viviansalem334@yahoo.co.uk
(1) Your full name and address
(2) Your telephone and fax numbers
Hoping that you will be of assistance to me.
Yours truly,
mrs vivian Salem Mate

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