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: SGT.LEE BOYD <bayconsult73@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: bayconsult74@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:53:07 +0200
Subject: SGT.LEE BOYD


Dear,
I am an American soldier, In foreign service with the
Third infantry Division in Iraq, I and my superior
moved part of discovered funds belonging to fleeing
regime leaders in Iraq, the total amount is $25,
000,000.00 US dollars.
This money is being kept safe
in a secured location we would disclose to you later.
You can go through this web link to understand
events that took place in Iraq.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Basically, since we are in government service and we
are not allowed to have or keep discovered looted
funds around us, we have decided to look for someone
to help us relocate and keep this funds for us, that
is why I have contacted you, so that you can keep it
for us in your safe account or custody untill we
complete our foreign service in Iraq.
You will take30%, while 70% will be for me and my
partner.This business is confidential, and it should
not be discussed with anyone. There is no risk
involved whatsoever as it is only me and my partner
that knows the present location of the money.
If you are interested I will send you operational
details, my job is to find agood partner that we can
trust and that will assist us. Can I trust you? To
ensure confidentiality, when you receive this
letter,kindly reply me via e-mail: 2sgtleeboyd@myway.com
signifying your interest including your phone and fax numbers
for quick communication and also your physical locational
address.
Respectfully,
Sgt Lee Boyd

Anti-fraud resources: