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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: Abdul Ailih <ofsmail.ofsmail@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: m.williams@w.cn
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 10:15:16 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: YOUR CREDIT CARD IS READY




From Director of Protocols, Ministry of Finance,Federal Republic of Benin.

This is to notify you that the re-activation of your ATM credit card of [ USD$2.5M] Two Million Five Hundred Thousand USA Dollars has been paid for,I paid it becouse the card had less than three days to expire and once it expires,the money will be remitted to Government's purse for that I decided to pay on your behalf so that
it does not expire.

The ATM credit card is ready,get to Mr.Mac Williams via [ m.williams@w.cn ] with your contact details,for verification and immidiate delivery.

Thank You, Mr.Abdul Ailih

Anti-fraud resources: