joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Barr.David Richard" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ms.annawilliams@yahoo.cn>
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2012 06:22:47 +0100
Subject: Notification.

Greetings to you,
 
    How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this Notification mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am Barrister David Richard, This is to Notify you that I have written a Cheque of TWO MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS on your behalf.
 
    Just last month, I had a business contract of about FIFTY MILLION USD, which has successfully been completed by the Grace of God, Why am doing this is because, before this transaction I said to myself that if this transaction should work out successfully like it has, That I will give to at least 10 Individuals that the Lord will lead me to 2Million  Each.
 
      My Dear Friend, you are very lucky and should be Grateful to God that I was directed by his grace to include yourself in my given out of Funds to fulfill and to keep to my Word. I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to issue you an International certified bank draft cashable at your bank.
 
      My dear friend I will like you to contact the finance house for the collection of this international certificated bank draft. The name and contact address of the Person with your Cheque is Ms Anna Williams.
 
HEAD OFFICE AND FINACIAL
CONTACT
AGENT: Ms Anna Williams
EMAIL: ms.annawilliams@yahoo.cn
 
    At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects which I And my new partner is having at hand in the United Kingdom.
 
    Below is my contact information and details in case you want to Verify or get any confirmation from me but I want you to be rest assured that Your bank draft will be cashed at you nominated Bank.
 
Name:  Barr David Richard
Address: 1914 26th ST CT NW
 
    Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to the finance house on our behalf to send the bank draft to you as soon as you contact them without Delay. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family.
 
Hope to hear from you soon.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Barr. David Richard

Anti-fraud resources: