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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: "Van Vidat" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_advocatenrafvedat@yahoo.be>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 15:35:14 +0100
Subject: Your Consignment

Atten Beneficiary,

We write to informed you about a consignment box Number 0011XZ710 worth the sum of $10,500,000.00 USD, in our vault/warehouse here in Belgium which have your name as the sole beneficiary.

We try to reach you on the phone number that was provided to us, but it was without luck, as it went straight into answering machine.

Kindly call our Office direct line +32 466 251 869, before sending you further details on how the funds shall be release to you, please.

Sincerely,


Van den Vidat
Van den Vidat Advocaten
For:Post Kantoren
info_advocatenrafvedat@yahoo.be
+32 466 251 869
Belgium.

Anti-fraud resources: