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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mahmud Yayale Ahmed" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yayale_a@ymail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2013 04:09:10 -0800
Subject: good day..

Hello,
 
Please, excuse me for intruding into your privacy with this my legitimate and genuine request for assistance.
 
I am Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR; an astute Politician, a former Defence Minister and Former Secretary to the Government to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayale_Ahmed
http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/3040/
http://www.pointblanknews.com/News/os5303.html
 
This proposal is highly secret and confidential. I need your trust and co-operation to actualise it quickly.
 
I have the sum of $165 Million which was genuinely earned from government contractors, as GRATIFICATIONS, who I have assisted in the past using the instrumentality of my prestigious offices in government.
 
This money is presently in physical CASH and have it currently deposited in a safe SECURITY VAULT overseas to avoid it being confiscated by the government since the laws of our lad prohibits my holding such amount as a formal civil servant and to avoid any probe by the anti-corruption agencies.
 
I will now like your assistance to move this funds into the BANKING SYSTEM since I intend to utilise part of it to finance my "Presidential ambition in 2015" to become the next PRESIDENT of my Nigeria.
 
I will want you to use your expertise, experience and professionalism to move this money into a safe bank account on my behalf; and I shall join you in your country to arrange the re-distribution and possible investment.
 
I propose to give you a share of 40% of the total sum for your service and you will assist me in keeping the balance 60% for me on absolute TRUST; including investing in any of your PROPOSED PROJECT or other lucrative businesses.
 
kindly come back to me by e-mail regarding your decision on this proposal.
 
Again, you have to keep this proposal to yourself till it is successfully actualised.
 
I eagerly await your urgent response as we are constrained by time !
 
Thanks and God bless.
 
Mahmud Yayale Ahmed.
 

Anti-fraud resources: