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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 MARTIN CONE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr_martincone@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2010 01:13:31 +0100
Subject: INVESTIGATION ON YOUR PAYMENT FILE

Nigeria Investigation Bureau
Presidential Committee on Foreign Payments
12A, Awolowo Lane, Ikoyi
Lagos, Nigeria.
 
Dear Beneficiary,
 
                           INVESTIGATION ON YOUR PAYMENT FILE
 
Today investigation on your payment file and reason for delaying your own payment approved since.
 
Please are you still alive / dead? Did you sign any dead assignment in favor of any (John Smith) to receive your funds here in your custody today?
 
This investigation bureau office has endorsed the actual time for the final accomplishment of your payment,Please you are advice by this office to Re-confirm to us immediately if you ask him to receive your fund,If not Kindly forward below information to enable this office direct you on how to receive your fund.
 
Below is the information's we need from you to enable your fund be release to you immediately:
 
Full Name......................
Nationality................
Age........................
Sex........................
Occupation.................
Company Name...............
Telephone Number............
Drivers license / International Passport
 
Do reply immediately for confirmation and receive your final approved funds of $10 million united state Dollars.
 
Best regards,
 
Mr Martin Cone (Chief Investigation Officer)

Anti-fraud resources: