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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: "Abdul Qaddaf al-Damm." (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2015 12:54:40 +0100
Subject: Yours faithfully,

Hello Dear,
 
My name is Abdul Qaddaf al-Damm, I am from Libya, but presently in Europe, Hungary precisely. We may not know each other before now, but I am contacting you with only good intentions. I got your contact information from the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce during my search for a reliable person whom I could confide in and collaborate with in a highly lucrative business.
 
My father's name was Ahmad Qaddaf al-Damm. He used to be an aide to the former president of Libya Muammar Gaddafi. He died three months ago while living in exile with me and my mom. Before his death, he brought to my attention Eighteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars cash money (U$D18.5M) hidden away in my home country. Few weeks ago, I took the risk to return to Libya to smuggle the fund away, but was advised against that by close relative of mine. However I was introduced to a diplomatic delivery company whom I contracted to transport the consignment containing the fund to Dubai so that I could travel to Dubai to receive the parcel from their delivery personnel myself. My plan was to deposit the funds into a bank account which I will open on my name there in Dubai, but unfortunately I was denied visa to Dubai last week hence I am contacting you to assist me to receive the fund.
 
The diplomat (delivery personnel) has already arrived in Dubai with the parcel containing the fund and has been waiting for me or my representative to collect the parcel from him.
 
I will forward your information to the diplomat to contact you immediately to arrange how you can receive the parcel on my behalf as soon as I receive your email including your full name and telephone number accepting to assist me. I will also forward the diplomat's contact information there in Dubai to you including Certificate of Deposit and Certificate of Ownership I received from the diplomatic delivery company too to enable you to contact the diplomat and claim the parcel on my behalf.
 
I am expecting your urgent reply.
 
Yours faithfully,
Abdul Qaddaf al-Damm.

Anti-fraud resources: