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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. SHOLA JAMES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsholajames@skymail.mn>
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2012 12:33:19 -0300
Subject: HELLO MY DEAR FRIEND, I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU

From: Dr. Thomas Coleman
      London England
 
 
Dear Friend,
 
How are you doing. Hope you have not forgotten me  I am Dr. Thomas Coleman
the man from Nigeria who contacted you sometime ago to assist me secure
the release of some money accrued from the over invoicing of a
contract/inheritance that was awarded by my government some time ago
during the past regime.
 
Though you were not able to assist me conclude the transaction  I'm happy
to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under
the assistance and cooperation of a new partner from Brazil.Presently I am
in London-United Kingdom for investment projects with my own share of the
total sum.
 
Meanwhile  i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring those funds  I made sure you are not left out the benefit of
the transaction hence I kept aside for you sum of One Million United
States Dollars ($1,000,000.00 dollars) Draft.I and my new partner agreed
to compensate you with that amount for all your past efforts and attempts
to assist me in this matter. I appreciated your efforts at that time very
much so feel free and get in touch with my secretary MR. SHOLA JAMES and
instruct him on how to send the Bank draft to you.
 
Please do let me know immediately you receive the Draft so that we can
share the joy together after all the sufferings at that time. In the
moment I am very busy here because of the investment projects which me and
my partner are having at hand  finally remember that i had left
instruction to my secretary so as soon as you contact him  he will send
the Draft to you so feel free to get in-touch with MY SECRETARY NOW.
 
Below is the contact of my secretary: MR. SHOLA JAMES
E-mail: mrsholajames@skymail.mn
Tel: +234 812 447 3543
 
With Best Regards
 
Dr. Thomas Coleman
 
 
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: