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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: Dyrol Underwood <dyrol.dstring@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 15:33:21 +0100
Subject: I urgently need your help

How are you doing today? Please i really need you to get back to me
immediately you received this message because am in serious dilemma over
here with sorrow. I could barely type or think straight right now, I hope
you come to my aid.... something very terrible happened to me where i am, I
seriously need help from you urgently, I had a trip here in West Africa
{Nigeria} for a Conference. Unfortunately for me I got robbed on my way to
the hotel where i lodged along with my Cell phone, bag where my passport was
and at now, i don't have any money to survive over here. And also i have an
outstanding bill to pay the hotel i lodged. I only have access to the
internet, all my contact numbers on the phone are gone including my diary
where i backed my telephone numbers. As at now i can only send emails, I
urgently need your financial assistance. The total outstanding bills is
$1,645. i need to sort-out the bills so i can make arrangements and return
back, I'm in a panic now, the police only asked me to write a statement
about the incident and directed me to the embassy, I have spoken to our
embassy over here no response yet. I promise to refund you immediately am
back. i actually budgeted for all expenses before leaving . I am so confused
right now but am safe and not hurt because I complied immediately. Please
kindly get back to me immediately you receive my message...so i can furnish
you my receiving information because i was advised by the hotel management
that you can send the funds through any closest western union money transfer
outlet or money gram.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Dyrol Underwood.

Anti-fraud resources: