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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: "thomas_douglas31151@virgilio.it" <thomas_douglas31151@virgilio.it>
Reply-To: thomas_douglas31141@virgilio.it
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 20:17:27 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Treat As Urgent

The sum of $10,5 million out of your over due total sum has been approved for
payment through ATM cash card system after all attempts to pay you through
bank, diplomatic and courier failed. The approved sum will be programmed into
the ATM cash card and dispatched to your address. We made several attempts to
contact you and this is the 3rd and perhaps the last email to you in respect of
this matter. We received a power of attorney from one JOHN GRIMLEY from USA,
purportedly issued by you asking us to change the beneficiary to him hence we
are seeking for your confirmation.
(1)Your Name:-
(2)Home Address:-
(3)Your
Cell Phone:-
Yours respectfully,
REV,Dr Thomas Douglas,

Anti-fraud resources: