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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: "HOMELAND DEPARTMENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <usfederalinvestigationunit@gala.net>
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2010 02:06:35 +0100
Subject: RE: GOOD NEWS FROM DHS

                                        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)
 
Attn: Beneficiary,
 
This is to officially inform you that, your long awaited Inheritance/ Contract Payment with the Central Bank has been approved today after a board meeting with the board of directors and we agreed that your part payment of 1.5M USD will be paid via their ATM MASTER CARD mode of payment.
 
All necessary paper works and payment has been taken care in your favor and the only fee that you are requested to pay is $235 which will be used to insure and deliver your card to your address.
 
Your are authorized to make the payment immediately with the information’s listed below and confirm your complete address, and telephone number to their courier department contact listed below immediately. 
 
skynet11@fastwebmail.it
Mrs. Clarie Bell.
 
Receiver name: Peter Zamuda
Address: Lagos- Nigeria
Text question: King
Text answer    : God
Amount       : $235
 
Note: The card will be confiscated after 72 working hours from the time you receive this message.
 
Regards,
Jerry Dill

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