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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: "MR. TRAYE STEPHANE" <traye_stephane@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: stephane_traye@live.fr
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:31:30 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE


Dear Friend,

I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise since we have not known or met before now, but please, I would like you to treat this matter as your own son affair and with the urgency and secrecy it requires. I am Traye STEPHANE, an adopted son of Mr Traye STEPHANE who was involve in toxic waste disposal in(ABIDJAN) COTE D’IVORE.

Before he was arrested he gave to me an envelop to keep indicating that this is very important. One years later I got to know that he died in prison, now I find out that this envelop contents important documents, after verification I find out it was money he deposited in my Name in one of the foreign banks. The amount is $9, 5M (Nine Million Five hundred Thousand Dollars) and the banking regulation/legislation in foreign bank demands that I should notify the fiscal authorities after three years. The above set of facts underscores my reason to seek your permission to have you stand in as the next of kin to the deceased.

This fund will be approved and released in your favour as the next of kin if only you will adhere to my instruction and cooperate with me in one accord, and if possible you will have me as your adopted son.

I will give you every details of the deceased client that will facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer of the $9, 5 M plus interest to any bank account nominated by you.

The final details will be given upon receipt and confirmation of your desire to help me.

Thanks.

Mr TRAYE STEPHANE

Anti-fraud resources: