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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: "D. Cornell." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <den.corn@mail.cybernet.tj>
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:41:19 +1000
Subject: Project Proposal.

My name is Dennis Cornell and I have just gone through reading your profile on a business directory and I feel that you will be the one to assist me in what I have in mind.

I have an exciting proposal, which I want you to partake and participate in, which I promise would be financially beneficial for the both of us.

This will involve total commitment and trust from you and your sincerity. Be informed that what I propose will profit you large quantities of funds.

Get back to me with your positive response, so that I can explain further and in detail. While I look forward to hearing from you, I want to assure you that this business is risk free.

I will need your legal details; names, address and phone numbers to enable me re-profile your details with the institution where the funds is presently domicilled as the new recipient.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Warmest regards,

Mr. Cornell.

Anti-fraud resources: