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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: michael taylor <michaeltaylor100@att.net>
Reply-To: m_taylor082@rocketmail.com
Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 11:21:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Friend


Dear Friend,
Greetings to you and your family! I know this mail will come to you as a surprise because you did not know me. I am Mr. Michael Taylor, son of former Liberian president, Charles Taylor. My family and I are in exile over my father's Inheritance funds with the Liberian government while my father is facing a trial by international court of justice, the Hague, Netherlands.
 
I have ($50,000,000.00 USD) all in 100.00 dollar bills in a safe Security Company that was deposited as Family valuables which my father has asked me to take care of and know that the diplomat does not know the contains of the box, I want to ship this fund to your country through a diplomat as my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist me; Can I trust you? When you receive this letter kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers and your home address where the consignment will be deliver across to you.
 
My aim of bringing this fund to your country is for safety and investment purposes in a real estate business which will profit both of us. All I need is your assistance and trust so that you will help me clear this fund and receive it when the diplomat arrives in your country.I have set aside 40% of this fund for you while 60% will be kept for me until i come over. Let me know your mind and please treat this information as very confidential.
 
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Michael Taylor 



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