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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: Melo Raphael <mraphl71@msn.com>
Reply-To: <meloraphael@yahoo.cn>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:46:58 +0000
Subject:



Dear, Compliments of the day, I apologize if my mail infringes on your personal ethics and honestly it will be my humble pleasure if we can work together. I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise but be rest assured that it is intended for the mutual good of us. However is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honor it against your will. I am Mr. Raphael Melo, personal aid to the deposed President of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo. I need your kind assistance to safe keep some funds which was deposited in a nearby country before the political crisis that lead to sacking of my boss regime.

Right now we are being targeted by the new regime lead by Mr. Alassane Ouattara, please I need your assistance to have this funds transferred in your name to avoid the government knowing about the funds if not it will be confiscated like my boss frozen accounts in different parts of the world.

I cannot move freely from where I am presently because we have been banned from traveling out of the country. Please if can assist us to handle this transaction I propose to give you 30% of the total amount of the deposit and you will manage the remainder of 70% for me in viable investment after the funds transfer is completed in your name, if not kindly delete this message as if I haven’t communicated with you.

Your Sincerely
Raphael Melo

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