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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: oficefile@neu.com.cn (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:58:46 -0500
Subject: Contact My secretary Mr. Austin Owen has forwarded a page to you from Seventh Generation

Contact My secretary Mr. Austin Owen thought you would like to see this content from the Seventh Generation web site.
Message from Sender:

My Dear Friend, This is Hams Abraham writing to you once again, Hope this mail find you in an excellent condition of health. And I want to thank you for the assistance rendered to me when i was really in need, it is a thing of joy to inform you that finally, I have succeeded in collecting the money at Long last. I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from London UK. Presently I'm in BRAZIL for investment projects with my own share of the total sum. Meanwhile I didn't forget you're past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds that later failed some how, I have compensated you with the sum of USD$1.5 M One million five hundred thousand United State Dollars. Kindly accept this token, Please Contact My secretary Mr. Austin Owen via E-mail austineowen22@neu.com.cn Phone: +233 240214698 and send him this information to enable him to get to the bank manager for the issuer of this Bank Draft to you: Your Full Name: Address: State/City/Zip Code: Tell/Cell: Contact Mr. Austin today and forward all your information's to him. he will help you on how this money will be send to you. All you need to do is to follow his instruction because i know he is a good and responsible person. Please do let me know immediately you receive this Money with you so that we can share the joy after all the sufferings at that time. I'm very busy here investment projects with my new partner here in BRAZIL. . Sincerely Yours, Mr. Hams Abraham.

1,200 Change It Applicants!
by Lara Petersen

With less than 12 hours left until the application deadline for Change It 07 I am overwhelmed by the number of students who have already applied.

Last year’s total number of applicants for Change It was 420. And with still half a day left for the (inevitable) procrastinators to apply to our activism training program, we’ve already received nearly 1,200 thoughtful submissions from students who want to “be the change”. I’m just so excited to see such an amazing response!


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