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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: "Captain Adams Ellam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <adamsellam@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:19:59 +0100
Subject: Urgent respond needed from you

Captain Eric Das an American Air force pilot who deposited US$65 Million on 3rd of April 2003 from the money they stole during the Iraq war in 2003, died 4 days later after depositing the above mentioned sum in a British Bank, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm   
 
As an ex Banker and also his guarantor to the Bank where the late Captain deposited the money, I want to use this opportunity to present you to the Bank as his next of kin since I have been assigned by the Bank to search for one as his trusted guarantor who helped him to deposit the funds in the UK,
 
if you are interested to connive with me in this deal, you need to urgently send me your full contact information and your full Bank details to enable me present you to the British Bank officials who will contact you directly and consequently transfer the funds to you after their screening which I will also provide you with all the information needed to sail through,
 
The above mentioned sum will be sheared as follows; 30% of the total sum will be made available to you for using your account, 10% will be actually for any expenses make during the course of this transaction and the remaining 60% goes to me which I will like to invest in your Country on your directives, that is if you are business inclined and can manage well, 
 
Mail me directly to adamsellam@yahoo.com.hk with the requested details so I can present you to the Bank officials to commence the transfer procedure,
 
Hope to hear from you very soon and remember it secrete that should not be told to anyone no matter how close you are to the person.
 
Adams Ellam.

Anti-fraud resources: