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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: "MORRIS DAVE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <m.dave022@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:05:41 +0100
Subject: RE:

Good day Sir! With warm heart I offer my friendship, and greetings, and I hope this mail meets you in good time. However strange or surprising this contact might seem to you, as we have not met personally or had any dealings in the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance and immense benefit. I must apologize to you for using this medium to communicate to you about this project. I am sorry if this letter comes to you as an embarrassment but be rest assured that your particulars of contact was given to me after a due search, for reliable and capable foreigner that will handle confidentially a transfer of huge sum of $50million USD, to a foreign bank account. I am Mr. Morris Dave an African born Nigerian citizen and account officer to a foreign nationality, An investor who has already deposited these funds in my custody for an investment porppose before he passed away. I believe you are in good position to help me out in this because this money will also be of good help in investing it into any business of your choice there in your country. What I actually want to do is to present you to the bank as the Next-of-kin to my late client and beneficiary of the funds to enable us place claims for the transfer of these funds to your personal account.I found out that some members of the finance house wants to divert this fund into their private accounts for their own selfish interest. This is the more reason why i have to contact you for your help. Feel free to contact me on my private email address stated as follows, mdave2010@ymail.com to enable us commence actions on this deal instantly. Your genuine/honest cooperation is required to enable us achieve this purpose; I guarantee that the entire transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangements and it is 100% risk free. I await your quick response as I will also like you to keep this very confidential. Thanks and God bless. Regards, Morris Dave

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