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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: "Dr.George Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnsondr.george@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:46:38 +0100
Subject: I await for your Considerable prompt Letter of Acceptance.

                 Greetings to you my dear.
 
I know this will come to you as a big surprise because you do not know me.
My name is Dr. George Johnson, I work in Central Bank of Nigeria, Packaging and Courier Department. I got your contact among others from a searching on the internet and i was inspired to seek for your co-operation.
 
I am contacting you as a matter of urgency about a huge transfer of US$31.700,000.00 (Thirty One Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) all in $100 bills, The Funds is already in the bank in Europe But I want the bank to first transfer the some of $11.7m (Eleven million Seven hundred thousand USD) from this money into a safe account, And after which the remaining of (20M) will be transfer to you. I have only written to seek for your indulgence and assistance. You will be providing a designated bank account of your choice. It is an unequivocal fact that we?ve not met nor communicated before but due to the true revelation that I should share this with you.
 
Please my identity must not be revealed to anybody for any reason as far as this Deal is concerned. Central Bank Governor does not know about this money. I believe that at the end of this Deal you will have 30% and 70% will be for me, by indicating your interest on assurance of trust, kindly forward to me your information.
 
(1) Your Full Name and address:
(2) Mobile/Fax number#: for easy communication.
(3) Bank Details where you want the money to be transferred for you:
(4) Age and occupation.
 
If this arrangement is okay by you, you can call or email me immediately for the necessary Follow-Up, for security reasons. Other modalities will be discussed as soon as you get back to me indicating that you are ready to partake in this mutual Deal.
 
Note: Nobody knows about this transaction. You will act as the real owner of the said funds.
 
I await for your Considerable prompt Letter of Acceptance.
 
Best regards,
Dr. George Johnson.
Please Reply to this Email Address: johnson_dr.george@yahoo.com.ph

Anti-fraud resources: