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: "Slocum Philips" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <slocum.philips@mail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2015 21:51:07 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY

Good day ,
My name is Slocum Philips I am currently a sergeant in the Army currently deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan on a covert operation. I am placing my 16 years military career at your mercy contacting you. My unit recently conducted a black-ops search and seize mission at the residence of a known late Taliban chieftain and business man. We came across a little over $50,000,000.00 in cash. The four of us debated what to do with the funds and decided to split it between ourselves. I have so far contacted an investment lawyer who has advised me to get a contingent beneficiary. My request is simple, act as my contingent beneficiary and we shall split my share ($12.5M) accordingly. Please this information is for your eyes only as I stand untold risks should a third party learn of this. Please get back to me if you are willing to help me.
I contact you through my friend’s email for security reason at this moment, As soon as you indicate interest to help then i will contact me through my private email at :slocum.philips@mail.com
Yours sincerely
Sgt Slocum Philips

Anti-fraud resources: