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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: "Col. William Richard" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamrich@live.com>
Date: Sat, 23 May 2015 13:02:50 -0000
Subject: CAN WE DISCUSS?

Good day.....
 
 
With due respect and maximum understanding, it is my wish to inform you that, I have a confidential proposal for you.I hope i can trust you to partner with me to achieve this goal.
 
 
Before i continue, let me introduce myself to you, I am Col. William Richard I have now in our possession the sum of USD 15.7million which was recovered from one of our raids on terrorists camps here in Syria, because they keep most of their money at home for evil activities which they normally get through illegal deals on crude oil.
 
 
Based on the suffering we undergo here some of us do meet such luck.
It happened that in our last raid last week we raided one of the terrorist strong base here in  Syria and we recovered this huge sum.
 
 
This box of money have been deposited with the RED CROSS OFFICE here in Aleppo informing them that contacts are been made for its safe keeping and to make contacts for its proper use.
 
 
As the team leader it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for this money. So i need someone i can deal with on trust and that is why i contacted you. so If you accept, I will put you forward as the beneficiary/owner of the funds and then move the money to you .
 
 
As a military personnel i cannot parade such an amount or carry it to America so i need to present someone as the beneficiary. I just need your acceptance and all is done.I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through diplomatic courier service to you.
 
Once i confirm your interest to my proposal.and your positive reply i will proceed to register your name as the beneficiary. If you are interested, then let me know so i can proceed to register the consignment in your name as time is very important to me. I am doing
this on trust, you should understand that as a trained military expert I will always be carefully in my dealings so everything is intact.
 
 
This money is my life and i am willing to give you 30% of the total sum when the money is delivered to you. I wait for your response so we can proceed immediately. In less than 7days the money should be in
your safe custody. The only telephone access we have is radio message which is for our general use and is being monitored,therefore all communication will be via email till we finish our assignment here and fly straight to your country to meet you.
 
 
For more confidentiality,i will appreciate your effort to reach me through email
 
 
Regards
Col. William Richard

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