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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: Alfred Mensah <mr_alfred079@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <alfredmens_01@gawab.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 16:24:21 +0000
Subject: Greetings



Hello,

Compliments of the day.Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as a surprise and may offend your personality for contacting you without your prior consent and writing through this unofficial channel.I am writing to solicit for your co-operation in a mutual beneficial business opportunity which involves transfer of funds running into millions of United States Dollars.($4,550.000.00).

Although,i am skeptical to discuss the business on the internet owing to lots of unsolicited/spam mails on the internet these days as i would,nt want my honourable name to be dragged to mess as mistaken intention,but i would be glad to provide more elaborate details if you provide me with your private telephone and fax including your private email address so i can email or call you for more detailed information,but must first all assure me that the whole transaction must be kept highly secret and confidential due to my position in my office.

I got your contact during my search for a reliable,honest and a trust worthy person to entrust this huge transfer project with. In a brief introduction my name is Mr Alfred Mensah working as manager of the financial disbursement in a known institution in west african sub-region.I am a Ghanaian married with four kids.I intend to part 30% of this fund to you while 70% shall be for me. I do need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this.

Could you be kind enough to render your services in this regard, If yes I will appreciate your timely response to my private (alfredmens_01@gawab.com)

Truly yours

Mr Alfred Mensah.

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