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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: Eric Bony <ericbony977@yahoo.fi>
Reply-To: errbony@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 05:34:10 +0100 (BST)
Subject: I wait your reply




Hello Dear,



I am writing this mail due to my present situation since the sudden arrest of my Father. I know this letter might come to you as a surprise because we have not met each other or see face to face in real life before. My name is Eric Bony, 22 years male from Benin Republic, and only Child to Mr. Cyril Bony, a Top Senior Government Official here in my country, before he was arrested and detained by our present Government since 6 months now.



Meanwhile, my reason of writhing is to seek for your assistance to help me retrieve Euro € 45.6 Million, which my father left in a fixes deposit under a Bank here in my name before he was arrested and detained. Since the arrest of my father, the government has frozen all my father’s Bank accounts and auctioned our properties. Hence I escaped and take refuge outside my city to save my family from total bankruptcy.



However, I was at the Bank to retrieve the money some days ago, but due to my Age the bank manager advice me to look for a foreign partner who will stand as my trustee and guardian to claim the money on my behalf. Hence I search through global business world directory where I got your contact and decided to contact you. In appreciation I will compensate you with 33% out of the total money for your help and assistance, while the balance shall be for my capital investment in your country and under your control. Please if interested, write me back for more details and to proceed.



I wait to hearing from you ok.



Thanks a lot and God Bless you.

Sincerely.

Eric Bony

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