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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: "Mrs. Cynthia." <massimo_dorati@alice.it>
Reply-To: revtimothycleveland@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:59:46 +0100 (CET)
Subject: you are compensated

Dear Friend

Hope you have not forgotten me, I am Cynthia, the woman who contacted you some
time ago to assist me secure the release of some money.
i have succeeded and didn't forget your past efforts. I made sure
you were not left out from the benefit of the transaction hence,

I kept aside for you sum of US $5 Million. (bank cheque) i left instruction to
Reverend Father so as soon as you contact him, he will tell you possible
ways your draft could be sent to you. Below is the contact of Rev. Father:

Name: Rev. Father Timothy Cleveland (Contact Person)
Email: revtimothycleveland@yahoo.co.uk

Best Regard.
Mrs. Cynthia.

Anti-fraud resources: