joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
 Free trial for 30 days
   jwSpamSpy
Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Anton Shakirov" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2013 17:26:47 -0500
Subject: Get back to me.

Hello,

It is a matter of urgency and great importance that i have to contact you,because i believe we can partner together in this
transaction to achieve success.

I am an Army General attached with the U.S Military force in Afhganistan.I believe you will maintain the trust and confidence of
what i am about to reveal to you.I have now in my possession the sum of $3.5 million USD, which I got from one

of our raids few days ago.This box of money is now hidden in a safe and untraceable location.I DESPERATELY need a ? RELIABLE and
TRUSTWORTHY? person like you who would receive, secure and safe guard this box containing the U.S dollars for me until i complete my
assignment here in Afghanistan.

This box cannot be left were i kept it as there are increasing insecurity and uncertainties as the days go by.I am willing to give
you 30% of the total sum as soon as you receive the box while 70% shall be kept for me until I complete my service here Afghanistan.

Once again, I confide strictly in you and appeal that you keep this as a secret between you and myself alone so that I do not lose my
job.looking forward to reading from you soonest.


Regards,
Anton Shakirov

Anti-fraud resources: