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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: "Richard Scott" <sergeantscott@live.com>
Reply-To: "Richard Scott" <sergscott@live.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 04:51:57 -0700
Subject: Mutual Benefit

Greetings,

My name is Sergeant Richard Scott; I’m an American soldier whom is serving precisely in the military with the army’s 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION. I served in front battle line during the International coalition forces of war on terror at Iraq, and I was later deployed to Afghanistan where I'm presently engaged in another front battle line of war on terror. I write to request your co-operation in my desire to find a trusted partner who will assist me to receive the transferring of $5,000,000.00 Five Million United States dollars, which I was lucky to make in a bloody combat after a heavily defeat in a shootout with some group of terrorist, who was then operating disastrously, killing innocent people in Iraq, which has also spread in other nations today. Note; this transaction is profitable, risk free and will never by any means endanger your position.  


It occurred during our military operations against terror at Iraq, were we discovered some certain containers loaded with assaulted weapons together with huge amount of money in hard currencies, which were being used to sponsor terrorism. After we have those items confiscated; our military authorities decided to offer some part of the money to each and every one who dedicates to risk life on the deadly operation. The money was granted to us as a thank you offer for a job well done, especially to help our finances on retirement. You can follow the link below, to read more details of the story for your scrutiny; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm although our authorities were being questioned by the U.S government about the money, which was later waved away. 

However, it has been very impossible for me to transfer the money directly to my account in United State, to avoid it being confiscated by the government. I was able to move the money through diplomatic means, to a safe and secured location where it was deposited to a bank. I became more desperate to look for assistance when I received a letter from the concern bank, stated that the fixed deposit account has been dormant and would be forfeited if nothing is done to retrieve it by the end of this month, that why I'm confiding this matter to you. We will shear the money in a reasonable percentage of 30% to 70% if you can actually assist me. Let me know if you are willing to do this with me, and then I will give you more details of the entire transaction plan. Meanwhile, I wait for your positive reply. Thanks. 

Regards,
Richard Scott.

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