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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: "FRITZ PETERS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < fritz_peter1950@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:07:51 +0100
Subject: HAVE A LOOK AT THIS MESSAGE

Bill & Exchange Director
FRITZ PETERS(USA CTITIZEN)
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
I am "FRITZ PETER, the director of foreign exchange auditing and accounting department of a bank here in United kingdon
 
I will like you to indicate your interest to receive the transfer of US$20.5 Million. This fund originated from over invoiced contract sum of which the executor of the contract has been paid off. Therefore, I and my colleague in the office want to use our position in the bank to process the fund in your name as the executor of the contract and transfer the fund into your bank account.
 
If you have agreed to collaborate with us in this transaction, please forward to us the beneath information, so that we can process for the release of the fund in your name. I have resolved with my colleague who are directly involved in this transaction to offer to you 30% of the total fund if you can assist us to receive the fund in your bank account and advise us on the possible area we can invest our share of the fund in your country.
Note that there are expenses involved in this transaction.
 
(1) Full names:
(2) Private phone number:
(3) Current residential address:
(4) Occupation:
(5)  Identity card
 
Thank in anticipation of your co-operations and God bless you.
 
Yours faithful,
BILL & EXCHANGE DIRECTOR
fRITZ PETERS

Anti-fraud resources: