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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: "Mrs . Susan Hays" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrssusan.hays@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:05:06 -0800
Subject: Update :TO WHOM IT MAY CONCEREN

Mr. Sathish Kumar,

Good to hear back from you. I am Mrs. Susan Hays from the United Kingdom and working for the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID). In the attachment I have attached some USAID, contract document for your review to enable you get a clear picture and we can make headway.

Our committee is in charge of contracts awards and payment for all contractors who executes contracts in the rebuilding of Iraq. There was an over draft contract we just discovered for 50 Million GBP and with my influence and that of my colleagues involved you will be approved for the contract payment this panel we can successfully present you/or your company to claim the above funds.

We are currently in London for the payment of some contractors who executed contracts in Iraq. We have agreed to share the money thus:

1. 30% for You.

2. 70% for us (the officials).
Please note that this transaction is 100% safe and we hope to commence the transfer latest seven (7) banking days from the date of receipt of the following information from you via my e-mail Your ID CARD or International Passport, Phone/Fax,Occupation, Company Name, Home/Office Address The above information will enable us write letters of claim, job description and contract scope respectively.

This way, we will use your name or company's name to re-apply for payment and re-award the contract in your company's name and provide you will all relevant document in your company name.

We are looking forward to doing this business with you and solicit your confidentiality in this transaction.

Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above e-mail and I will bring you into the complete picture of this pending project when I have heard from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs. Susan Hays


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