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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: MIKE ELLIS <mikeellisdesk005@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mikeellis2@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 23:22:06 +0000
Subject: Greetings From Group Finance Director




Greetings From Group Finance Director
H.B.O.S Plc Edinburgh EH3 9PE
website:WWW.hbos plc.com
Greetings

I am Dr. Mike Ellis, Group Finance Director (H.B.O.S)
I understand that through Internet is not the best way
to link up with you because of the confidentiality which
the transaction demands. However, I have already sent you
this same letter one month ago but I am not sure
if it did get to you since I have not heard from you, hence
my resending it again.

I discovered a dormant account in my office, as the Group director with Halifax Bank of Scotland.
It will be in my interest to transfer this fund worth 15,000,000 million
pounds in an account offshore. If you can be a collaborator to this please
indicate interest immediately for us to proceed.

Your contact phone numbers and a copy of any physical identification via
email scan and name will be necessary for this effect.

You can reach me on mikeellis2@hotmail.com/+447024020698

Let me read from you soonest.
Regards and respect,
Dr. Mike Ellis
Group Finance Director
Halifax Bank of Scotland

Anti-fraud resources: