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: sandracole586 <sandracole586@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2015 23:07:53 +0200
Subject: I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON

My Dear Friend,

I'm sorry to disturb you with this proposal. My name is Sandra B. Cole,
I'm a British Citizen who lives in London. I attend university and work
part time as a dress maker. I lost my father in an auto accident prompting
my mothers death because of it. My Father, James Cole, willed me a large
portion of his real estate holdings and income properties valued at
50,700,000 Pounds Sterling. I have yet to place a clam on it but right now
things are not good and I'd like to have it. My Fathers stipulation was
that I was either 30 years of age or married (allowing my Husband to be in
control). I am 24 years old now, so only my husband can make a claim on my
behalf. I'd like to offer you the opportunity to stand in as my Husband or
Next of Kin and will share 40% of it for your trouble. I plan on using 10%
for any travel or legal expense incurred. I am trusting you will keep this
matter and this proposal completely confidential, as I will. I'm waiting
for you to get back to me as I'd like to get started as soon as we can.

Awaiting your response through private email:scole1326@gmail.com

With Love,

Sandra B. Cole.

Anti-fraud resources: