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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: "Mohamed Al-shaikh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alshaikhamohamed@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:59:46 -0800
Subject: DEAR GOOD FRIEND, THIS IS TOP CONFIDENTIAL

DEAR GOOD FRIEND
 
THIS IS TOP CONFIDENTIAL
 
My name is Mohamed Al-shaikh, Citizen of Bahrain.  
 
I am based in Libya; as business associate and personal Assistant to Mr. Saif Al-Islam who was arrested by the National Transition Government (NTC), on the 20th November 2011 with two of his Aids, while trying to flee to Niger Republic.
 
Before Mr. Saif Al-Islam's arrest, we have been able to move the sum of  40 Million Euros and the sum of $240 Million through Niger Republic to Neighboring country Benin Republic where it was lodged in Escrow account along with 230 Kilos of Gold, 
If you have been following the Libya news, you then must know about the government official who smuggled the sum of euros 980 Million to Niger, $660,000 Million and One truck of Loaded Gold and Diamond to Niger Republic, where they wanted to seek Asylum with Colonel Gaddafi.
 
At the fall of Colonel Gaddafi; everybody was taking this opportunity to get whatever they can for themselves; before the Government of Gaddafi’s assets would be recovered by Nato and NTC. So this is my own little opportunity and it must be kept secret and highly confidential.
I will give the details after your response; if you accept to work and or corporate with me.
 
I can not afford any more problems now because of recent events in Libya. So I will advice that you keep this absolutely confidential as my family me I are currently in Bani Walid-Libya, a remote area for safety with some natives who knows that I am a close associate with Gaddafi family.
Finally, please note that this must be concluded within reasonable time frame; so that I can leave Libya before I would be detected.
Please send to me the following information:
 
Your full name.
Your current Occupation.
Your age.
Marital Status.
Your direct mobile and phone.
 
You are only advised to provide this information if you are ready and capable to work and handle this project.  I will like to relocate to your country immediately after for investment.
Be rest assured of no single risk over this transaction as everything is being perfected and I am the only person that knows where the fund and the gold were lodged.
You can watch press TVA or Aljazeera TV in the event of doubts.
 
If you are interested, willing and able to work with me, I suggest that you respond to this message as soon as possible through this Email<alshaikhamohamed@gmail.com>
 
I await your response.
Mohamed Al-shaikh
alshaikhamohamed@gmail.com

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