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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: "Abbey Goldfish" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <abbeygoldfish1001@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 19:31:37 -0000
Subject: URGENT RESPOND PLEASE!!

   Dear  Friend,
Greetings to you, with warm heart I offer my friendship,and I hope this mail meets you in good time this and be rest assured as it come with best of intentions and I will appreciate you show more commitment on this partnership.
During the course of my job as General manager & Procurement director with Loewen International Trade Ltd, I with the chief accounting officer made an over inflated procurement cost which estimate to the total of US$8,200,000.00 dollar.
This fund was kept in a Locker deposited with United Nations Vault Office as Personal Effects.. Our intension was on our retirement we should invest in purchase of Precious stones, diamonds and Gold or any lucrative business we might choose. However to protect our job and avoid any problem from our company and Government we registered that the (Fund) locker belongs to our foreign business partner and that when required it should be delivered overseas.
Unfortunately on  17Th January 2008 my colleague died in motor accident and I was left alone with the information of the money. I have approached the vault office to collect the locker but I couldn’t because of the terms we signed; it must be delivered to our foreign partner overseas. Hence I contacted you to be my foreign partner and receive the locker on my behalf from theUnited Nation diplomat or diplomatic courier whom I have earlier discuss with....
I will give you 30% of the total amount for this assistance and open a joint business where you will actively run the procurement business for me and the profits shared 80% for me, 15% for you while 5% is kept for operational cost.
Kindly provide the information below:
• Complete Name & Address
• Occupation/ Position
• Age
• Country of Origin
• Contact Telephone No
I will expect your suggestions and opinion upon receipt of your positive response so that we can discuss on how we should proceed on the arrangement without delay. I am convinced with your personality as my instinct has allayed any fear of negativity or betrayal from your side..
I wait your urgent response.
Best Regards

Anti-fraud resources: