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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: "Federal Bureau of Investigation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robert_mueller1@superposta.com>
Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 10:39:20 -0700
Subject: FBI WASHINGTON DC ATTENTION, FUND BENEFICIARY,There is a pending transfer of US10.5M in your favour with bank of America waiting for certification before transfer is fully effected into your account, in order to certify your fund and prove the legitimacy of the fund you are about to receive, We need fbi identification record and diplomatic seal of transfer certificate, should you not have the documents in your possesion, contact us back to direct you where to obtain it as that is the only delay in

Read the above for more details and reply immediately

Anti-fraud resources: