joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
 Free trial for 30 days
   jwSpamSpy
Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "barr.funsho kupolokun" <barr.funsho2006@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:27:48 -0800
Subject: Private & Confidential project


Private & Confidential project
Barr Funsho Kupolokun

Attn:Sir,
My name is Barr.Funsho Kupolokun,i write to seek your services in a private
matter regarding my client late Adam A Williams who died from united states
of America leaving some funds unclaimed in a banking institution without any
beneficiary,this requires a private arrangement,could you perhaps be able to
receive these funds under legal claims then I will fill you in.

I am willing to pay a generous management and transfer fees as well as
appreciation for fewer questions asked and your participation for .25%.I
need assistance from a trustworthy and reliable person whom i will fill in
as the beneficiary to provide an account where this fund will be
remmited.Ihave all the details and will fill you in if you are really
willing.

Your major role would be to open a bank account where the funds will be
transferred.All correspondences will be via email,for now.The funds in
question are quite large in sum. I will expect a urgent answer from you,then
let's work out the modalities.

Closing with anticipation
Barr Funsho Kupolokun.

Anti-fraud resources: