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: "Mr James Kirkman"<mrjames.kirkman@radiance-pvt.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 22:41:39 +0100
Subject: ****SPAM(13.4)**** Re.Urgent Proposal


Spam detection software, running on the system "portal.bk-werne.de", has
identified this incoming email as possible spam. The original message
has been attached to this so you can view it (if it isn't spam) or label
similar future email. If you have any questions, see
postmaster for details.

Content preview: Attn: My name is James,i am originally from ohio,but i work
with a Bank in the UK,i am the head of department in my bank,i am contacting
you regarding a dormant account i discovered in my bank where i work,which
account owner died about 6years ago, leaving behind total worth of 9.5 Million
USD with no next of kin,and i am trying to use my opportunity as the head
of the department,together with just one of my partner,to have the funds
moved out of the account,by presenting someone capable as the next of kin,of
which every necessary details will be provided,i am currently in the United
states right now,i live in dayton,ohio and i will be going back to the Uk
to resume work next weekend,i actually had a off from work. [...]

Content analysis details: (13.4 points, 4.0 required)

pts rule name description
---- ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------
-1.4 ALL_TRUSTED Passed through trusted hosts only via SMTP
2.4 URG_BIZ BODY: Contains urgent matter
2.4 MILLION_USD BODY: Talks about millions of dollars
0.8 MSOE_MID_WRONG_CASE MSOE_MID_WRONG_CASE
2.6 ADVANCE_FEE_2 Appears to be advance fee fraud (Nigerian 419)
2.4 ADVANCE_FEE_3 Appears to be advance fee fraud (Nigerian 419)
4.2 FORGED_MUA_OUTLOOK Forged mail pretending to be from MS Outlook



Anti-fraud resources: