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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: "LIONEL BELLS" <lbell17@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:11:29 +0200
Subject: Very important


Dear,

Please accept my sincere apologizesif my email does not meet your business
or personal ethics. I willfirst introduce myself as Lionel Bells an auditor
with a bank inUnited Kingdom. One of our accounts, with holding balance of
£10,000 000.00 (Ten Million pounds Sterling) has been dormant and
lastoperated many years ago.

Nobody has done anything as regards theclaiming of this money, because the
account owner has no family memberor friends that has any knowledge as to
the existence of either theaccount or the funds; I have decided to find a
reliable foreignpartner to deal with.

My proposition to you, is to seek your consent topresent you as the Next of
kin and beneficiary of this late client, So that the proceeds of this
account valued a huge sum shall be paid to you, and then we can share the
amount on a mutually agreed percentage.

This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles asthe fund is
legitimate and does not originate from drug, moneylaundry, terrorism or any
other illegal act, funds will be released toyou after necessary processes
have been followed. Let me hear from youas soon as you get this message, so
we can proceed.
Reach me on my direct E-mail;( lionelbells6@yahoo.com.hk )

Bestregards,
Mr Lionel Bells

Anti-fraud resources: