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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "JAMES ADAMSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <james_sonj1@lankaemail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:29:11 -0700
Subject: 28 SEPTEMBER

Sep 28,2010

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is James Adamson; I am the auditor and head of computing department of Cook Private Financier Limited, United Kingdom. There is an account opened in this bank in 2005 and since my inception into office in 2006, nobody has operated on this account. I have the courage to look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable for this important transaction.

In order to transfer out (Fifteen Million Pounds Sterling) after going through some old files, I discovered that if I do not remit this money out urgently, it will be forfeited for nothing. Though this transaction will cost us some money to finalize, my attorney was able to contact a very capable and reliable investor in the state who has promised to render financial assistance to us through you if you have a HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT ACCOUNT OR CREDIT ACCOUNT WITH ZERO AMOUNT JUST TO MAKE THE TRANSACTION VERY EASY.

If you do you will be required to respond to this message urgently to enable us forge head. 25% will be for you while 65% will be for me and my attorney and 5% will be for the expenses that will be made by both parties finally 5% will be given to you to donate to any charity organization of your choice. I will forward more information to you upon your urgent response also I will want you to send me your direct telephone and fax number with your contact address where you can be reached at all time as the transaction will require swift communication.

Sincerely,

Mr James Adamson.

Tel: +44 701 150318

Anti-fraud resources: