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: Joseph I. Tan <josephltan18@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:16:46 +0300
Subject: please treat as urgent

Dear Friend, I am Joseph I.Tan, 72 years old From United State of America. I was a formal Finance Director of JB Trucks Company; My Company had business with BP where i made $8.600,000 usd of which my company has no idea. The total amount was legally deposited in International bank in Malaysia. However i can't direct the monies to my account because of my illness and high taxation in my country rather I want you to assist me to receive it into your account or company account. The Bank is ready to dispatch it pending when i present an account where the monies will be remitted. If you can help me in this transaction, I will compensate you with 20% of the total amount and you will also get benefit from the investment as I intend to invest the monies abroad. If you accept to go on with me kindly indicate your readiness so that we can move on. Thanks and best regards Joseph I. Tan JB Truck, 9012 S. Oketo, Bridgeview, IL 60455,

Anti-fraud resources: