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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: "Johnson Douglas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnson.douglas2015@yandex.ua>
Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 17:40:53 -0400
Subject: NOTIFICATION

I got your contact in my search for a reliable partner. Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky is looking to work with a reputable individual/firm to mop up and place funds into viable investment ventures in your country and perhaps with your assistance, we could evade high taxes.I am a staff/member of the inner circle of Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky (the former Chairman/CEO of Yukos Oil Company) who was imprisoned in Russia on false charges of fraud and tax evasion by the current Russian President Mr. Vladimir V. Putin.
 
For more details, please follow this links:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Khodorkovsky
 
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/20/mikhail-khodorkovsky-russia-richest-man
 
Before the arrest of Mr. Mikhail Khodorovsky,we where in the process to complete the documentations for the payment of US$100 Million for contract execution under
Yukos, while working on the issuance of the approval documents for  payment Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested which led to the suspension of this payment.
Mr. Khodorkovsky was released from prison on 20th December, 2013, he is reuniting with family.
 
Now that Mr. Khodorkovsky is a free man again, it is time to complete the US$100 Million transaction. For the purpose of confidentiality, the initial foreign company name listed as beneficiary belongs to Mr. Khodorkovsky and with current event, this company name cannot be used in other not to put the contract payment of US$500 Million at risk.I solicit your help so you can stand as the foreign contractor / beneficiary of the said funds after which we can re-profile the Approval documents with your details to secure the payment of US$100 Million to you as beneficiary. Upon receipt of your immediate response, we shall discuss the compulsory modalities to see this transaction to successful conclusion.Note that you will be entitled to 30% share of the total funds as your compensation for your assistance. I consequently request your maximum assistance and co-operation to facilitate the release of the funds to you.In conclusion, I guarantee that this transaction would be executed under a legitimate arrangement tha
 
I  await your prompt reply through my direct emails:
 
Best Regards,
Johnson Douglas
Assistant to  Mr. Khodorovsky,
Moscow,Russia

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