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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: "John Evans" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2013 20:00:18 -0400
Subject: Please Reply before my Departure.

Please Reply before my Departure.
>From John Evans,

My name is John Evans, of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

I'm writing this with tears in my eyes, this had to come in a hurry and it has left me in a devastating state. I visited here unannounced some days back for a short meeting with whom I thought was my client's relative, unfortunately I was mugged at the park of the hotel where I lodged, I can't believe that. All cash, cell phones and credit cards were stolen off me, It has been a scary experience, I was hit at the back of my neck, well thank God am alright and lucky for me I still have my passport and return ticket with me.

I have been to the Embassy and the Police here are not helping issues at all, they asked me to wait for 3 weeks but I can't wait till then and my flight leaves in 3 hours from now.

My intended plan of meeting with this person was to establish a working relationship with her before informing her of the wealth left behind by his late father, but what I’ve experienced in this few days, made me to believe she conspired with the people that attacked me. For this reason I see it unsafe working with her and seek your assistance since you have the same nationality status with her. I still need to get the actual amount from the deceased banker but they have notified me and ask me to provide his next of kin for the claim.

I can’t promise seeing you before my departure because of the time it might take you to see this message, but I want you to send me your phone number so that I can call you on my arrival.

Thanks for your understanding.

Yours truly,

John Evans
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
+447719885203
Johnevans.fullbright@yahoo.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources: