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: "Sergeant Michael Grinston" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtgrinstonmichael@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2015 10:12:36 +0100
Subject: From Sgt Grinston Michael!

Hi Friend,
This is my second mail to you; I am sending this from Adder near Nasiriya, about 198 miles southeast of Baghdad, Adder is one of the last four US Bases left in Iraq. I am Staff Sergeant Michael Grinston and I am from Jasper, Alabama . I am currently with the Intelligence Unit  of the US Marine Corp.I have sent email to you few days back without response and i believe you will understand this time and help me.
I have been on 6 tours of duty since the war broke out and I have seen a lot happen. Saddam had to go, he was a bad guy. I dont care really what reason was given, all I know is Saddam had to go.
I have seen a lot in Iraq and come across a lot of atrocities, some by Americans and some by Brits. There are some good guys also. Recently I helped an Iraqi leader, he was accused of being a spy and was arrested. I investigated his case and found he had been set up by a local rival who wanted to cash in. I saw through it and helped the guy, Hassan.
Hassan did what a few people do, he showed appreciation and gave me some money to keep. Hassan is an Oil dealer and he gave me 5.5Million dollars . I said No but Hassan made it clear it was a gift and he wanted nothing in return.
I can't declare the money because I am not allowed to take any gifts from the natives, You get done for it but I have slept over it and I will not throw 5.5Million away.
so I need your help, I need someone I could trust as i cannot use any one close to me. I can push the money to the UK through  a friend of mine that I met over here, thats as far as I can get it. I will need you to go to London and get the money for me or my friend can arrange for a diplomat that can deliver the money to you doorstep.
We will give 10% of the sum to any charity of our choice. so on gaining your interest to assist, then we can further discuss on the terms and modalities for sharing of the money, I am not greedy. I anticipate your prompt response with your.
Your full name:
Contact address:
Telephone/Fax numbers:
Think over it and get back to me, I will reply but due to my job i dont have easy access to free networks. Send me your best contact number and I will get my friend in London to give you a shout.
Regards
Michael Grinston
US Marine Corps.



Avast logo

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com


Anti-fraud resources: