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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: "Mr. Michael Anderson" <michpanderson.1110@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mr.michanderson@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:37:08 +0000
Subject: Please, this message is very important



Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Michael Anderson, I got your contact on my personal search of the person I want to will my money to.I willed the sum of Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds to you, that is the only money left in my account right now.

If you really want to know why I have willed this money to you and you want this money to be transferred to you please contact the bank director whose name and address I will give to you as oksoon as you reply this mail. He will help you transfer this money that I have willed to you.


Right now I am in the hospital and I will tell you my story.


God bless you.
Michael Anderson.

Anti-fraud resources: