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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: "JOHN BEN" <john_ben2004@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:48:03 +0200
Subject: Hello My Dear Good Friend,


Hello My Dear Good Friend,


I am Dr John Ben I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting
that fund transferred. Now I want you to contact my secretary on his email
address below and receive your compensation of $1.5m from him:

NAME: Mr. Boniface Jeorge EMAIL:
(innocent.david004@gmail.com)Kindlyreconfirm to him the following
information below:

Your full name_______
Your address__________
Your country____________
Your age_________________
Your occupation___________
Your Phone number_________

Note that if you did not send him the above information complete, he will
not release the cheque to you because he has to be sure that it is you. Ask
him to send you the total sum of ($1.5m )USD CASHIER'S CHEQUE ,which I kept
for you. Note also that I will not be reached by email or phone for now
because I am currently away in Japan for investment purpose with my share
and I will be busy till about six months time or a year.

Best regards,
Dr.John Ben

Anti-fraud resources: