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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: Kofo Richard <kofo@richardkofo.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 16:34:57 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: CHARITY


Sir. Kofo Richard
Tel#:+44.702.403.1766
Email:koforichard1@yahoo.co.uk
London, United Kingdom.

RE: DONATION OF £12 MILLION TO CHARITY
SUMMARILY:- I have 12,000,000.00 (Twelve million) British Pounds sterlings to donate to charity in your country and I want you to assist me in distributing the money among charity organizations.I agree to reward you with part of the money for your assistance, kindness and participation in this Godly project.
I am a 56 years old south African living in London- United Kingdom. I was the President/CEO of KOFORICH OIL SERVICES (UK) LIMITED - an oil servicing comapny in London.
I was married with two daugthers. My wife and the two children died in a car accident six years ago. Before this happened my business and concern for making money was all I was living for and I never really cared about other people.
But since the loss of my family, I have found a new desire to assist the helpless. I have been helping orphans in orphanages/motherless homes.I have donated some money to orphans in Ethiopia,Benin Republic, Cameroon, Sudan, and some Asian countries.
Before I became ill, I kept £12 Million in a long-term deposit account in Crown Bank Ltd.Presently, I am in Estate Hospital here in london where I have been undergoing treatment for oesophageal cancer and my doctors have told me that I have only a few months to live.
It is my last wish to see this money distributed to charity organizations. Because my relatives and friends has plundered so much of my wealth since my illness, I cannot live with the agony of entrusting this huge responsibility to any of them. Please, I beg you in the name of God to help me collect the £12 Million and the interest accrued on the deposit from Crown Bank Ltd. and distributes it amongst charity organizations.
You are at liberty to use your discretion to distribute the money and feel free as well to reimburse yourself when you have the money for any expenses you incur in the course of collecting and distributing the money to charity organizations. I am willing to reward you for your assistance and kindness.
Contact me any time on phone at: +44.702.403.1766 or e-mail me at: koforichard1@yahoo.co.uk if this proposal is acceptable to you.
May the good Lord bless you and your family.
Best Regards,
Sir. Kofo Richard

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