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: JOHN RICHEL <d578k@live.fr>
Reply-To: <john.richel@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 04:07:11 +0000
Subject: hi





My name is John Richel, a 19years old undergraduate. I am only son
of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Richel, My father was a Gold and Diamond Merchant
based in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire, my father was poisoned to death by his
business associates while my mother died when i am little and my father
took me so special because i am the only child.

Before the death
of my father in a hospital here in Cote d’Ivoire, he secretly called me
and told me that he deposited a huge sum of $5million dollars
($5,000,000 USD) which he deposited in a Bank here in Cote d’Ivoire.and
He also made me understand that it was because of this wealth he was
poisoned while on a business trip with them and he instructed me to look
for a foreign partner who will help me transfer this money to a foreign
bank account Without the knowledge of my uncle who was living with us
then.

But now my uncle travel out of the country with his
children. With all that my father left behind, just because I am a
little boy and he think that i do not have any right in my father
property. My uncle seized all my father's companies and properties
because of no body stand for my help. I was left with nothing and
dropped out of school because of financial difficulties and my uncle's
wicked attitude. Although I have contacted the Bank and they confirmed
the lodgement. My purpose of contacting you is for you to help me, as my
late father advised me at his sick bed.

1) To get this money transfer in a safe bank accountr.
2) To make arrangement for me to come to your country to continue my education.
3) To utilize this money by investing it in good business.

I
am now under hidings to safe my life from any accidental harm that
might befall me from my father enemy. Please tell me if you will be of
assistance to me after your good considerations i am willing to reward
you with 30% of the money for your good assistance. I will be glad if
you will get back to me soon to tell me of your interest so that i will
give you the contact information of the bank for you to contact them on
my behalf as i will be introducing you to them. I am kindly waiting for
your soonest response. john.richel@yahoo.fr

Best Regards.
John

Anti-fraud resources: