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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: "Joseph Camara" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <josephcamara20016@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 May 2016 16:45:53 -0700
Subject: CRY FOR HELP VERY URGENTLY REPLY


My Dear,

My name is Joseph Camara from Libya, my late father deposited $10.5M Usd with Eco bank here in Ghana, i want you to be my beneficiary to help transfer and invest the fund in any lucrative venture somewhere in your country. I mapped out 30% of the total money for your assistance and expenses to be incurred, you will find as attachment the copy of the relevant documents, I will send you the detail information of the banker as soon as i receive your confirmation message.

Sincerely
Joseph Camara

Anti-fraud resources: