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: "George Sherwood" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <g.sherwood1@btinternet.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:59:06 +0100
Subject: From Mr George Sherwood

ATTN :


I need your consent in a confidential matter regarding large sum of money left behind by Late Mr & Mrs Lam Yung, Native of Hong Kong who lived in England before their demise without any beneficiary details,the money is deposited with Axa Winterthur Finance UK. This requires a private arrangement.

I can make arrangements for you to receive these funds under legal claims as I was their lawyers for years; all legal documents will be carefully worked out to ensure a risk free transfer. 30% of the total sum would be your own potion at the end of this deal.

I have all the details. The funds in question are quite large ($18.5M).I will expect a straight answer from you. If you are willing to assist, kindly furnish me with your personal information which must include your full names, address and telephone number.

Please get back to me through my private email.

Thanks as I expect to hear from you.

Mr George Sherwood.

Solicitors,Lawyers & Legal Advisors
35 Great Peter St
London, SW1P, United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources: