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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: "David Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <david_williams@imail.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2012 04:55:39 -0400
Subject: Read and get back to me

Ref: DGBCK/CODE: WE/G45
My Name is DAVID WILLIAMS ,I am the auditor and head of computing department of Dexia Bank Branch here in United Kingdom.
 
There is an account opened in this bank in 2003 and since my inception into office on 4th Jan 2011,I then found this account and when I investigated deeply by contacting the assigned next of kin I also found out that the next of kin to this account was an American who lived in London for over 63Yrs and nobody has operated on this account again after 2004. I took the courage to look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable for this important transaction. In order to transfer out $65,000,000 (Sixty Five Million U.S Dollars)for a business investment, After going through some old files, I discovered that if I do not Remit this money out urgently, it will be forfeited for nothing and the DEXIA BANK management might divert the funds to their own accounts use.
 
Please respond immediately I will use my position and influence to effect the legal approval and onward transfer of this fund into your account with appropriate clearance from foreign payment department. You will stand to get 40% while 60% will be for me. Kindly quote the reference (acct) numbers above when responding to this mail.This transaction is risk free.as soon you get back to me i will furnish you with all the details and vital document for the transaction
 
Please all you have to do is to open a new account with your name in your country for the immediate transfer of the fund in your name and send the information of the bank where the money will be transferred within 5 days
Please note this is real and genuine, kindly send to me the following information BELOW for the treansfer of the fund ASAP
 
Your Full Name and Address
Your Telephone numbers/cell phone
Your Fax Number
Your bank name
Address of your bank
Account number
Account Name
Swift Code
 
I will fill you in with further details upon your reply .
Sincerely yours,
 
DAVID WILLIAMS
 

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