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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: "Samuel Damon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <samuel.damon02@globomail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 16:42:33 +1000
Subject: DID YOU GET MY LAST EMAIL ??

Hello Dear
 
Greetings to you, My name is Samuel Damon
 
I have been trying to reach you all through the Holiday period since December 2012 without success, I do not know if you received all the emails I sent to you? Well I am writing you again because i know the Christmas holiday is over therefore as we embark on the first quarter of the year I am sure you will be at disposal checking your email regularly now. I am an American and currently, I am based in Europe, I work with a financial institution in Europe.
 
I have the opportunity of transferring a substantial amount of money to you from the bank I work with. The money was deposited in our bank in United Kingdom a few years back by a wealthy contractor who is now deceased and fortunately you have the same SURNAME with the depositor. Considering the fact that the depositor has no traceable relative who will eventually apply for the claim, I decided to contact you so that you can apply for claim "WITH MY ASSISTANCE" and take custody of the funds for our mutual benefit. I will not mention the amount of money which runs into millions of US$Dollars presently neither will I mention the name of the bank I work with in Europe until I am sure you have agreed to deal. I trust you will understand the need for such precautions.
 
Please note; in 2001, I succeeded in claiming $16million from the same bank with the help of an American like me, but by the time I went to receive my share of the money from her a week after the money was released into her account, she had changed her home address and moved out of CALIFORNIA to another state and till date, I am still searching for her. But because it was a deal and confidential matter, I could not seek legal action against her or even inform the authorities regarding the situation. So safety purpose and benefit of both of us to ensure that I do not make the same MISTAKE I made in 2001, I will have to meet with you physically for discussion before we can proceed with the deal.
 
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MY PROPOSAL IS NOT A BOGUS, AS I AM READY TO PROVE MY IDENTITY TO YOU AND THE REALITY OF THE DEAL WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS.I AM SURE OF SUCCESS IN THIS DEAL BECAUSE I HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE. 
 
I can be reached on this number any time of the day 24/7 regardless of the day or time you wish to call.
 
Thank you in anticipation as I wait to hear from you
 
Samuel Damon
London United Kingdom

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