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: "Yahoo Lottery Awards Inc." <rev.johnmichael@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:11:07 -1200
Subject: YAHOOMAILIVE AWARDS

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
YAHOO LOTTERY INCOPERATION
BALEY HOUSE, HART ROAD,
SUTTON, GREATER LONDON SM1 4TE
UNITED KINGDOM

Dear Winner,

We happily announce to you the draw (2008) of the Yahoo
International Lottery program held on the Month of August,
2008. Your e-mail address has won!! the draw, Which
subsequently won you the lottery in the 1st category i.e.
match 6 plus bonus.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of
$900,000.00 (Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars) in cash credit
file ref: ILP/MW 47509/02 from the total cash prize shared
amongst eight lucky winners in this category organized by
YAHOO LOTTERY INC, HOTMAIL & WINDOWS LIVE for the Month of
August 2008 bonanza. This is from a total cash prize of
$6,000,000.00 (Six million Dollars) shared amongst the Six
(6) lucky winners in this category i.e. match 6 plus bonus.

You are required to fill this form, and contact (Rev.John
Michael) with the e-mail/details below to enable us process
and file your claims.

(1).Full Name:.....
(2).Address:.......
(3).Nationality:...
(4).Date of Birth:.
(5).Occupation:....
(6).Phone:.........
(7).Mobile:........
(8).Fax:...........
(9).Sex:...........
(10).Age...........
(11).Marital Status....
(12).E-mail ..........
(13).Amount Won .......

Name: Rev. John Michael
Email:rev.johnmichael@hotmail.com
Tel: +447045720496, +447045721865

Remember to quote your reference information in all
correspondence.

Cordially,
Sarah May.

Anti-fraud resources: