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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. Zhao Yao" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrzhaoyao@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:14:52 +0100
Subject: INFORM ME ASAP

Good day,

Firstly, I apologize for sending you this sensitive information via e-mail instead of a Certified Post-mail, well I’m Mr. Zhao Yao by name, I work with THE BANK OF CHINA, here in China. I have a business proposal of ($18,370,000.00USD) for you to handle with me from my bank. I will need you to assist me in executing this project from China to your country. I need to know if you will be able to handle this transaction with me before I explain to you in details.

Should you be interested, please get back to me immediately so as to proceed with the transfer arrangement ASAP.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Zhao Yao

Anti-fraud resources: