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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: "Williams Kolberg" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kolberg1969@live.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:57:48 -0000
Subject: Re: Regards to our transaction..

Dear Friend,
 
Please accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethics.
 
I have been trying to get in touch with you after our last discussion but could not reach you, please permit me to advice the Bank to wire the sum of £12,780.000.00 Million Pounds (transfer) to your Account for you and I to share.
I will like to introduce myself again in case if you have forgotten, Am Mr.Williams Kolberg; I am a citizen Virgin Islands A British residing in London. A manager in the accounts management Section, monitoring financial network here in the United Kingdom.
 
Please I will be delighted if you can get back to me urgently so that I can advise you further on how we van proceed in getting this fund transfer to your nominated bank account immediately. Hope you remember that our sharing ratio is still the same, 45% you and 55% for me.
 
Please, provide me the following as we have 7 days to run it through thus:
1. Full Name.
2. Your Direct Mobile Number.
3. Your Contact Address.
4. Your Age.
5. Your Occupation.
6. Fax Number.
 
Also I want you to reconfirm your current address and telephone number to me to enable us move swiftly.
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Williams Kolberg.
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: