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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: "Mark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <niumark@live.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:00:31 -0800
Subject: Investment assistance/partnership

Hello my dear, I am contacting you to see how best we can assist each other.I have an important business discussion i wish to share with you which I believe will interest you. I want to transfer USD8.1million(Eight Million and One Hundred Thousand US Dollars]to your country for investment on properties or hotel as you may choose and I need your assistance to receive the fund and also invest the money for me.I will give you details about this transaction as soon as you respond.Lets get this done urgently and finalize this transaction with you as the bonafide beneficiary before my arrival in your country for partnership investment agreement. Regards. Mr Niu Mark

Anti-fraud resources: