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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: "Brian Herbert Smith Solicitors" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <office@brianherbertsmith.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 03:37:40 +0200
Subject: From: Brian Herbert Smith Solicitors

Dear,

I am Brian Herbert Smith of Brian Herbert Smith Solicitors, 40 Woolwich Street, SE18 5JH, London United Kingdom, Attorney to Late Mrs. Christina Dunn, owner of $7,100,000.00 deposited funds in ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY OF IRELAND declared as family funds. She did not declare anyone as her next of kin before her death. I therefore want you to stand in as the next of kin to receive the money. 50% will be used for the less privilege, 35% for you and 15% for me. If you are capable to handle the funds do contact me.

Dr. Brian Herbert Smith

Anti-fraud resources: