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: Charles Wood <charles.wood89@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Charles Wood <charles_wood36@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 07:58:18 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Legal Proposal


 Hi Dear,
My name is Captain Charles Wood; I am an American soldier 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, deployed to Afghanistan This is 100% legal as there is no holder for these funds which is in my possession.
My reason for contacting you is that I managed to move funds belonging to Afghanistan's former late president.I only manage to move the total amount of US$8,000,000.00 Million dollars in cash. However, I want to move this money US$8,000,000.00 to you (Notes in $100 Dollar Bills), so that you may invest it for me and keep my share for banking. I know you will be asking how did I got your email, it is through my effort to search for a reputable person which my heart is directing me to trust you since here is a war zone and no much time. I want you to understand that I have seen money in Afghanistan even US contractors have wasted lots of hard-earned money over here.
The US$8,000,000.00 belongs to me, I will take 60%. You will take 40%. No strings attached, just help me move it out of Afghanistan, here is a war zone. I intend to get these funds to you as soon as possible to ensure safekeeping. This is nothing compare to what have been discovered here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
If you are interested I will send you the full details, my job is to find a good partner that I can trust and that will assist me. Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest.
This business is risk free.
Reply me on my private email: charles_wood36@aol.com
With Respect and Salutation, 
Charles Wood

Anti-fraud resources: