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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: M r.John Willson <john_willson1960@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <john_willson@linuxmail.org>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:51:30 +0100
Subject: Mr.John Willson.


Mr.John Willson.Cocody Cites desArts,Abidjan - Cote D'Ivoire
Email:(john_willson@linuxmail.org)
Your Urgent Attention.

Permit
me for using this media to write you, I am Mr.John Willson, I work with
one of the prime banks here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire as a project and
investment officer.

I
am writing this letter on behalf of my client who owned one of the
largest farm in Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). My client, his wife and
three children died in a fatal accident on their way to visit Ghana
ancient museum. Since then I have made several inquiries to trace the
family or anyone who had a useful information about the family, by birth
my client is an American but they migrated to Cote D'Ivoire since early
90s. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace the family
name from the Internet Information Program (IIP) to see if I can get
any member of his family hence I come across your contact.

My
interest on this matter is about the amount US$20.500,000.00 United
States dollars. Being the personal a/c manager of the decease, I had
been compel to submit the next of kin to the decease person but
unfortunately his wife they suppose next of kin was also involve in the
unfortunate incident that took the live of the entire family. In order
to avoid the bank from confiscating the deposit, in a professional
manner, i am considering to submit your name as a relatives to the
decease so that the deposit will be release to you.If you are devotedly
willing to handle this, I guarantee that this will be executed under all
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law
inasmuch as we will share the money 50/50.

Please
provide me with your full Name and Address, Date of birth,Telephone and
Fax Number to enable me effect change(s) where neccessary to the bank
for claim, Note Please reply me with this very address
(john_willson@linuxmail.org) is very important to register your
interest.
Cordially,

Mr.John Willson.

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