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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Pedro Lamas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrpedrolamas@jmail.co.za>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 10:22:18 +0200
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Good day!
 
My name is Mr. Pedro Lamas. I am a Staff of a Government Ministry in South Africa responsible for Awarding and Execution of Contracts. I have in my Possession an Outstanding Contract payment of $17,000,000.00. These funds represent certain percentage of the total contract value executed on-behalf of a Foreign Department by a contracting firm, Which was officially over-invoiced to the amount of ($42,000,000.00). Though the cost of the actual contract has been paid to the original contractor, leaving the excess balance of $17,000,000.00 unclaimed.
 
So I am in search of an Individual who will assist me to Transfer the amount of the total outstanding fund out of South Africa. You will receive this fund as an applied contractor. For your support and partnership, please reply to negotiate the percentage you will be paid when the Funds arrive in your bank account Overseas.
 
Before we proceed with any step forward i will like to inform you as follows: Firstly, you have to be transparent; and also promise that you will not run away with the funds when it arrives in your bank account. Secondly; That you treat this Transaction with Confidentiality and also provide an account for which you have absolute Control of.
 
Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction, what we need is just a Foreign Individual or Firm we will present and do the paperwork for the approval of the Funds. I am putting my confidence in you and i hope that you will not disappoint me.
 
I am looking forward to doing business with you and please email your response to me through my private email address below and also kindly provide me with your full names and telephone number so I can reach you for more further details and deliberations.
 
Kindly get back to me as soon as possible through my email address below if you are interested.
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Pedro Lamas
Email: mrpedrolamas@jmail.co.za

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