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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: "williams byrem" <williamsbyrem8@gmail.com>
Reply-To: williamsbyrem2001@ymail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:40:16 +0000
Subject: Confidential And Trust.


*Confidential And Trust.*
**
* I am Mr Williams Byrem, A staff of one of the
commercial bank in COTE D'IVOIRE. I have a very confidential and urgent
financial notification for you. A contract file worth US$7.5 Million
Dollars with the name has been noticed lying waste in our contract and
account department. As one of our international remittance director. *
**
*As one of our international remittance director, I am obliged to notify
you, Now (being a foreigner),I want this money to be paid into your account
for us to share 50/50, all i need from you is honest and you will promise me
that you will not run away with this money. If this proposal is acceptable
by you, do not take undue advantage of the trust we have bestowed in you,*
*
NB: Please if you are interested with the deal, kindly respond back with
your full name and address,**fax/phone numbers, to enable us proceed
immediately without any delay because is a deal i want this money to
transfer into your bank account for too of us.*
*I await your earliest response. Thanks,
I require you treat this letter with the utmost
urgency.
Best Regards
From Mr Williams Byrem.*
**
*1. NAME IN FULL...
2. ADDRESS....
3. NATIONALITY......
4. AGE....
5. SEX....
6. OCCUPATION...
7. MARITAL STATUS.....
8. PHONE.....
9. FAX:.....*

Anti-fraud resources: