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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: "Sir William Branford Griffith." <swbg@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: <sirwilliambranfordgriffith@live.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 22:58:23 +0100
Subject: PLEASE CAN YOU ASSISTANCE ME TO TRANSACT THIS DEAL??

Dear Friend
   
I know that this message will come to you as a surprise. I am Sir William Branford Griffith, Bill & Exchange Manager Head of Operation International Commercial Bank Limited. I Hope that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that I am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of our both families. I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of (US$7.5 Million US Dllars Only) to your Cooperate Account within 10 to 14 Banking Working Days.
 
This Funds was Deposited by one of your Nationality who was murdered after the execution of a contract for the supplies of Hospital Equipment and Immunization materials to Ghanaian Government in the 1999. He died on his way coming back from Night Club along Medina Express Road Accra-Ghana. I contacted you based on the fact that you bear the same Name with this Diseased Man.
 
The Fund in question is currently in a Dormant Account awaiting Claim and the Bank have made a Public Notice that they are ready to release these fund to any of his Relatives in Abroad which non were found. In that regard, I decided to seek your consent for this prospective opportunity. Have it at the back of your mind, that this transaction does not involve any risk and does not need much Engagement from you since I am familiar with this kind of Transaction being an insider.
 
All Necessary modalities will be worked out to enable us carry out the fund claim under a Legitimate Arrangement. I will give you more details about the transaction when I receive your affirmative response via my email address. I sincerely will appreciate your acknowledgment as soon as possible to indicate your interest in order that we will proceed further immediately.
 
Regards,
 
Sir William Branford Griffith
Mobile: 233-540878645.

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