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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: "Mr Phillip Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <philljohninstrltd@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2011 05:31:36 +0200
Subject: Attn Prospective Shopper

Attn: Prospective Shopper,

My Name is Phillip Johnson and I am your group regional Instructor . Henceforth you will be working with me on the completion of your Mystery Shopper's Position application. Like you already know, your weekly pay is $400 Flat for working with us and will come in payments of $200 each per assignment you complete for the company.

PAYMENT TERMS:
Your payment would be sent ($200) per assignment , Also the company is in charge of providing you with all expense money for the shopping and other expenses incurred during the course of your assignment. All the tools you will needing would be provided to you with details every week you have an assignment.

JOB Description :
1} When an assignment is given to you, You would be provided with details to execute the assignment and in a timely fashion.
2} You would be asked to visit a company or store in your area and they are mostly our competitors as a secret shopper and shop with them to know more about their sales and stock , cost sales and more details as provided by the company then report back to us with details of whatever transpired at the store. But anything you buy at the shop belongs to you, all we want is an effective/quick job and reports.

YOUR SECRET EVALUATION WOULD BE:
To make a transfer of funds like a normal customer from any Western Union location around you to another Secret Customer at another location where a Customer reported her funds missing.
You would be sent some funds in form of VERIFIED MONEY ORDERS which would cover the Western Union charges, your transportation fees, your feeding and your compensation. As soon as you receive the funds in form of Money Orders, you should cash it at your bank, deduct your expenses and compensation, then use the rest of the funds for the survey/ assignment.

KINDLY SEND YOUR INFORMATION BELOW TO PROCEED ON FIRST ASSIGNMENT:
Full Names:
Full Physical Address :
City :
State :
Zip code :
Cell # :
Present Occupation:
Email:

Contact Person: Phillip Johnson
Yours sincerely.
Time: 24 Hours daily by e-mail

Anti-fraud resources: