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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: "SAMUEL MUTH" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <henshawkate94@w.cn>
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:04:01 -0700
Subject: Your Good News !!!

Attention Beloved,
My name is Samuel Muth, a citizen of Canada. I have been trying to claim my fund, valued at $3,000.000, from the Nigerian Government since 2002, without success. The fraudsters keep on asking me to send money by western union, money gram, or bank transfer, for one reason or the other, which cost me over $167,000. The documents they sent me were all fakes. I decided to travel to Nigeria with some vital information that I have from a friend who claimed his fund, valued at $6M, with the assistance of Mrs. Kate Henshaw, Financial Controller Intercontinental Bank Nigeria Plc. She is a very good Christian.
I opened communication with Mrs. Henshaw, who really helped me. In only 3 working days the funds were deposited into my bank accounts in Canada and Thailand. I only spent $980 for legal documents. I also came back with my ORIGINAL DOCUMENT as a proof of ownership. I also saw your file next to my own and it’s ready to be released. I just decided to notify you because I know that you must have been victimized by the fraudster in Nigeria who claims to be top official in charge of your payment. The only solution is to stop all communication with anybody and contact:
Mrs. Kate Henshaw,
Financial Controller,
Intercontinental Bank Nigeria Plc,
Email: henshawkate94@w.cn
Contact her to enable you reclaim your fund, your presence may not be needed in Nigeria, you can receive your fund without visiting Nigeria, she is a very good and sincere person.
Acknowledge the receipt of this email
Sincerely,
Samuel Muth.

Anti-fraud resources: