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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: "Ms Vivian" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <msvivianaadarsh1@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2013 12:28:10 -0000
Subject: GOOD NEW

Hello dear,
I really wish to have you as my good friend and also to entrust some funds into your care. My name is (Ms Vivian Aadarsh), 25yrs old single, I am currently unemployed. Although I was once a banker but quit couple of months ago. However, I’m contacting you today, because i need a sincere and reliable Partner.
A military officer (Connell O’Brian Mathew) from your country came to me in 2008, then, I was working as a cashier in a particular bank here,, he requested my help to enable him deposit US$7.8m in my bank, as he planned to retire from Military in 2011. Although he pleaded with me to keep this conversation confidential, adding he does not want anyone to know of this fund.
Eventually, the man died in 2009 in a combat, and I ‘m no longer working in the same bank. However, the new Director of the bank insisted that I must present a depositor’s relation to claim his funds, unfortunately, I did not know his family, as we spent little time together because of the nature of his job as a military officer.
Now, I need you to help me receive the funds as a foreigner, I will provide a Lawyer who will issue every necessary document to prove that you are the depositor family. Besides, the bank Director does not know any member of his family, because He did not deposits the fund with his full name, as he was afraid that his military may discover one day and confiscate the fund and also jail or kill him.
Please, I want to know if you could be trusted enough to help me, I’m willing to share 50% each with you after the fund is in your account.
Waiting to read from you.

Ms Vivian

Anti-fraud resources: