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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: stefan wool <stefanwoolm100@msn.com>
Reply-To: <stefanwool1000@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 15:10:37 +0000
Subject: My Dear Friend,



My Dear Friend, Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethics. May I introduce myself i am Stefan Wool a staff member in the accounts management section of a bank here in London.One of our accounts with holding balance of £26,549,250 (Twenty Six Million five Hundred and forty nine Thousand two Hundred and fifty British Pounds) has been dormant.From my investigations and confirmations, the owner of this account is a foreigner who died long time ago.Since then nobody has done anything as regards to claiming of this money as he has no family member who is aware of the existence of either the account nor the funds. Information from the National Immigration also states that he was single on entering the country.I have confidentially discussed this issue with one of the top official in the bank and we have agreed to find a reliable foreign partner to deal with, as the management is ready to Approve the funds to any foreigner who knows correct information of the account which i will give you once you are ready to work with me.
We thus propose to do business with you, standing in as the next of kin of the deceased and have the funds released to you after due processes have been followed.This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other Illegal act.On your interest let me hear from you.
After a succesful transfer to your account,You will be given 25% of the whole amount transfered with your account.
Regards,Stefan Wool

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