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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: "Peter Cox" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <petercox1@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:00:13 +0200
Subject: I AM TRYING TO REACH YOU SINCE

Hello,

My name is Mr peter cox, I am 81 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer for about 2 years ago,am sorry to contact you in this manner but please bear in mind that i got your contact in international directories with World Health Organization. I will be going in for an operation later today,i decided to WILL/DONATE the sum of $10,000.00 USD (Ten Millions United States Dollars) to you because of your profile and status.

I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria,South America,Eastern Europe and Malaysia.Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of $10,000.00 USD (Ten Millions United States Dollars),that I have with a finance/firm Company abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations,i have set aside 10% for you for your time and patience.please send a reply through this email address (petercox1@sify.com ) with your full contact information for more private and confidential communication.

Your Truly,

Mr peter cox

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