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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: "Matthew Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <matthewjohnson_f12@gmx.com>
Date: Fri, 27 May 2011 18:29:11 -0300
Subject: PLS CAREFULLY READ THIS E-MAIL AND KINDLY GET BACK TO ME

From: Matthew Johnson
Email: matthewjohnson_f12@gmx.com
Address: Samberstraat 67
2060 Kent, Belgium.
Subject: PLS CAREFULLY READ THIS E-MAIL AND KINDLY GET BACK TO ME.

Dear President/CEO,
my private E-mail: matthewjohnson_f12@gmx.com

It is with due respect and humility I write you this email which I pray
you give your time and consider as well. Before I proceed, may I humbly
introduce myself to you, I am an undergraduate of the University of Kent
Belgium,I am 20 years old and Studying International Relations in the
above institution
,I am from Togo of West Africa want to seek your assistance
for a very important and confidential matter as regards my future.
I am from a polygamous home, my father was a rich man, and I am the first
son of my father. My father married two wives my mum being the senior wife
born only me while my stepmother has five (5) children. Unfortunately, in
January 2009, I lost my father, he died in ghastly motor accident in Lome
while, on his usual business trip. Due to this incident, there has been a
problem in my home, my fathers family and his immediate relations,
including my stepmother are all scrambling for my dad's wealth.
However, As i have just returned from Togo last month, I got hold of my
father's safe and inside it I got a list of his assets and finances, but
the one of interest to me is a legacy left behind for me. In it, though
dead now, he signed me as his next of kin. He lodged money in a private
bank the sum of $21, 0000,000 (TWENTY ONE MILLION DOLLARS) which
he left strictly instructions that upon his death, the money should only be
given to me when I present a foreign investor. With regards to this, and my
inexperience to money matters and an amount of this magnitude.
I am hereby seeking your assistance to help me receive and transfer this
money into your account in your country, where I shall! Finally come to
live after my graduation and the money successfully kept in your care.In
all, I need someone trustworthy to assist me in not only taking this money
out, but should be ready to help me manage this money into any business of
your choice wisely infact be my fund/investor manager. You will be
compensated .In respect of the above, if you are ready to assist
me,I AM HONOURABLY SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1) TO PROVIDE A BANK ACCOUNT WHERE THIS MONEY WOULD BE TRANSFERED
2) TO SERVE AS THE GUARDIAN OF THIS FUND.
3) TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR ME TO COME OVER TO YOUR COUNTRY TO FURTHER
MY EDUCATION AND TO SECURE A
RESIDENTIAL PERMIT FOR ME IN YOUR COUNTRY.
Please, kindly contact me on my private email for
further discussions with you.My E-mail:matthewjohnson_f12@gmx.com
Thanks for going through this letter.

Best Regard,
Matthew Johnson.


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