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: "Sgt. Frank Dennis" <sgtfrankdennis01@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:05:23 +0100
Subject: Hello my dear good friend

Hello my dear good friend,

I contacted you essentially because of a good business proposal for you,I
am a member of U.S.joint task force military operations in Iraq and Syria
under U.S lead coalition battle against ISIS in helping Iraq and Syrian
authorities. During one our airstrike conducted by my term, we discovered
about $760 million cash hidden in several cottages. I was able to take
US$27.7 Million dollars in cash for my self, mostly 100 dollar bills. I
want to move this money to you, so that you can invest for me and also keep
some part of my own share in your bank.

I will move these funds to your position for an investment purpose in your
country. But the question is, can I trust you when the funds get to you?
You will take your 40% for the assistance and keep the remaining for me in
a safe custody.

Please signify your interest by replying to me,if you are willing to work
with me, I have no time.All I required from you is your 100% secrecy and
honesty, which comes with utmost trust.

Regards,

Sgt. Frank Dennis

Anti-fraud resources: