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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: Mathew Taylor <mathew_taylor2@yahoo.es>
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:16:50 +0200
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY

Attn,
Best compliment of the day.
I am Mr.Mathew Taylor European based business co-ordinator/consultant
to Mikhail Khodorkovsky,the owner of the following companies:YUKOS OIL
(Russian Most Largest Oil Company),Menatep SBP Bank (A well reputable
financial institution with its branches all over the world).
I have a profiling amount in an excess of US$20Million, which I seek your partnership in accommodating for me,for investment in your country.
The documents of the above funds in question was handed over to me to
be used in payment to an American oil merchant for his last oil deal with my
boss.While I was in the process of concluding negotiations on the deal my boss got arrested for his involvement in politics,and also for financing the leading and opposing political parties which posed a threat to President Vladimir Putin's second tenure as Russian President.
Please i send this mail to your mail boxes to enable youreceive it inany of of
your box.
All I need from you is to stand as the beneficiary of the above mentioned sum
and I will arrange for the documentation which will facilitate the release of the funds to you.
You will get 20% of the total funds as your share for your assistance
in the transaction.
You may visit the website below,incase you need more information about the
plight of my boss.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4482203.stm
Please send this information below
NAME...........................................
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.... ..............
AGE:..... yrs.........................................
STATUS:......Single...................................
STATE/COUNTRY.............................
TEL/FAX..........................................
NUMBERS........................................
COMPANY NAME...............................
OCCUPATION....................................
I shall provide you with more details when I get your reply,Please do ensure
that you treat this message with utmost confidentiality.
Do have a nice day while I look forward to your urgent reply.
Best Regards,
Dr.Mathew Taylor.

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