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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: Barrister Allen Alexander <allen_alexander4@yahoo.dk>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:36:58 +0100 (CET)
Subject: URGENT


ATTN:Bernard Friedlich
FRIEND,I MUST BE FRANK WITH YOU,THERE ARE SOME BILLS TO BE PAID TO THE SECURITY AND TRUST FIRM THAT IS IN CUSTODY OF THE INHERITANCE AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SOME INVESTORS/FINANCIAL AND THEY ARE READY TO HELP.
PLEASE GET BACK TO ME IF YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE CHECK THE FINANCIER WILL ISSUE SO THAT YOU CAN STAND AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED AND THEN USE THE CASH TO OFFSET ALL THE BILLS SO THAT THE FUNDS CAN BE RELEASED TO YOU IMMEDIATELY.
REGARDS,
ALLEN


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