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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: "Frank Konet" <frank_konet10@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: frank_konet001@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:24:06 +0200
Subject: Message


From Frank Konet
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
West Africa.

Dear friend,

I am Frank Konet the only son of Mr & Mrs Konet, It is sad to say that the
passed away mysteriously of my father in France during one of his business
trips abroad year 25th.Febuary 2006.Though his sudden death was linked or
rather suspected to have been master minded by an uncle of his, who
travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died
when I was just 6 years old,and since then my father took me so special.

Before his death on Febuary 25th 2006 he called the secretary who
accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of Six
million,seven hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$6.700,000) left in
fixed deposit account in one of the leading banks in Africa. He further told
him that he deposited the money in my name,and finally issued a written
instruction to his lawyer whom he said is in possession of all the necessary
but legal documents to this fund and the bank. I am just 21 years old and an
university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. Now I need an
overseas account where I can transfer this funds and after the transaction i
will come and live with you and i'm ready to do anything of your choice.
This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant
political crisis here in Ivory coast.

The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life and i wished to
investe under your care please. I am in a sincere desire of your humble
assistance in this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly
regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me?
2. Can I completely trust you? .

What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after
the money is in your account while i finalised my education? Please,Consider
this and get back to me as soon as
possible.

Sincere regards,
Frank Konet

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