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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: James Kofi Addo <te5464@johnnnymails.com>
Reply-To: jmskaddo@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:13:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear One,


Dear One,
 
Permit me to introduce myself
to you as Mr.James Kofi Addo,a Ghanaian born in the Greater Accra Region
of Ghana in Sept,1954.I am the Manager of Gateway Security &
Finance Company.However I believe that you will be capable and
trustworthy to handle this transaction after getting your contact
information.Also I hope we can assist each other as we progress in this
transaction.
 
I am writing you in regards of trunk box
deposited in our company by Mr.Jeffrey Ripley,an American citizen; He
was a well known successful businessman dealing on alluvial gold dust
and bars;a philanthropist who was very influential during his life-time.
 
The company
recently confirmed that Mr.Jeffrey died last year of a heart
condition.Since then, the company has tried all they could to locate any
of his relatives but to no avail.My main motive of writing you is to
solicit your acceptance to stand as a relative of  the deceased
Mr.Jeffrey Ripley so that the funds can be released to you as his next
of kin after i must have in-put your name in our record showing your
relationship with the depositor.It might interest you to know that we
are talking about USD$3,7000,000.00 and if you accept to work with me in
actualizing this transaction,the sharing ratio should be 50%-50%.I have
discussed with a lawyer and all the vital documents that will give this
transaction the needed legitimacy will be obtained from the High Court
here.
 
NOTE:There are practically no risks involved in this transaction
as i will be able to direct you at every given time on what to do and
how.If you accept to go along with me,I will furnish you with the
information with which to get in contact with the company requesting for
the release of the funds to you after I must have in-put your info into
our data as the next of kin to Mr.Jeffrey Ripley.
 
This is a
secure arrangement and with my position here,everything will just work
out perfectly..If you accept this offer,I will appreciate your timely
response as soon as you receive this mail. Kindly contact me on this
email: jmskaddo@gmail.com
 
With Regards,
Mr.James Kofi Addo.
Email:
jkfaddo@gmail.com

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