joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
 Free trial for 30 days
   jwSpamSpy
Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Benard Bricks" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benardbricks@inbox.lv>
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:24:13 -0700
Subject: REPLY IMMEDIATELY

Dear Sir/Madam,
 
 
I write to you based on a private request for an investment arrangement.
 
I am a broker in my country of residence. My reason for contacting you is that I have an urgent need to invest some fund in excess of six digits into a small business for a young at heart venture-capitalist client of mine. He is a royal from Angola.
 
What he requested is an individual such as you, who will be willing to put this money to good use for a period of 5years for a start. He is offering you these terms:
 
1.) 10% of the total sum will be paid to you as an administrator of the fund to be managed.
 
2.) The fund will be used for investment purposes. Once the investment accumulates interest, you will give him 50% of all profits after tax that will accrue from it's use.
 
If these terms are agreeable to you, kindly let me know and I will provide you with other necessary information.
 
For further details and procedure, reply at your earliest convenience and indicate your willingness as a partner to consummate this proposal. Include your identification documentation, telephone and fax number for easy communication.
 
Regards,
Benard Bricks

Anti-fraud resources: