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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: "Miss Grace John" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gracejohn22@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:10:38 -0700
Subject: Hello Dear

Hello Dear,
I know that this proposal might be a surprise to you, but do consider it as an emergency. I am Miss Grace John from the public of Cote d'ivoire in west Africa, now seeking for refugee in Dakar Senegal under the (UNHCR).
My (late) father Dr. John Kewrell, was the managing director of Rainbow Gold and Diamond Mine company in (cote d'ivoire). But he was killed along side with my mother during the longing civil war and all his properties were totally destroyed.
However, after the death of my parent, I managed to escape with a very important document DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE (US$5.9m) Five million nine hundred thousand U.S Dollars deposited by my late father in one of the leading bank in Europe with my name as the next of kin.
Meanwhile, I am saddled with the problem of securing a trust worthy foreign personality to help me transfer the money over to his/her country and into possession pending my arrival to meet with him.
Furthermore, you can contact the bank for confirmation, I will send to you the full contact address of the bank in Europe, once I get your positive response to help me with the transfer of the funds to your bank account, and help me with the investment of the funds, and my coming over to join with you in your country.
Immediately I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my Picture and also inform you more details involved in this matter.In the light of above I will like you to keep it to yourself and don't tell it to anyone for I am afraid of loosing my life and the money. I wait your positive response.
Remain Bless
Miss Grace John.

Anti-fraud resources: