joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Mark Radebe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smt0004@me.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:36:10 +0200
Subject: Compliments.

Re: Compliments, Confidential Request.

Attn: Sir/ Madam,

It is such a pleasure for me to contact you and with respect. I am a business consultant,privately working as a personal assistant to the First Chairman and Managing Director of Shell Petroleum South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Mr.John Drake.

Mr.John Drake, having handed over to his successor,mandated me to seek for a foreign partner who can help on transferring of fund out and also advice on possible investment.

I humbly ask for your assistance in securing of this fund into your company's account or private account to avoid been seized by our government. The sum is USD13M ( THIRTEEN MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ONLY) and we will gladly compensate you with 20% after the deal is done. Presently, the fund in question is been concealed with Private Finance Firm.

I want to bring to your notice that a special arrangement has been made for the smooth conclusion of this transfer which the full details will be given to you as soon as you signify interest in helping us to finalize the deal. We got your contact through a business journal when we were making a research on a foreigner who will liaise with us in this great opportunity. It is our interest to channel the above mentioned fund in oil and gas drilling investment, first real estate mortgage or any other viable investment you may wish to advice upon.

Indicate your interest by responding through my private email address: smt0003@me.com

Waiting to hear your quick response.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Mark Radebe
smt0003@me.com

Anti-fraud resources: