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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: "Vin Zulu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zvincentesq@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2016 05:21:23 -0800
Subject: Please I need you to help me to receive this 52Million.. It's very urgent

Mr. Vincent Zulu Esq.
Sandown Chambers
Corner Maude Street & Gwen Lane,
Sandown, 2196 Pretoria South Africa
 
Hello,
 
I know we do not know each other but please I need your urgent assistance regarding the transfer of my client's inheritance. I received a message from his bank that his funds are ready to be paid out unfortunately my client died at the age of 84.
 
From all indications and from what the letter says, some people are trying to divert my client?|s funds to another account in USA.  I suffered with my client over this inheritance of his younger brother who died in South Africa leaving this huge amount in the bank. He was a Gold and Diamond miner. Now the money has finally been approved to my client Mr. Douglas Pettman Who already died at 84 years.
 
I have details to transfer the $52,000,000.00 to your name as the Next of Kin to my client and the funds will be paid out to you within 72 hours for us to share 60% for me and 40% for you instead of letting these criminals have this money.
 
I will email copy of the letter the bank sent to my client which copy was sent to me as his lawyer here in South Africa. Please get back to me immediately if you can be trusted to receive this money for me pending when I will arrive.
 
Email me your full name, complete address, Tel & Fax also a Cell phone number for easy contact. I shall give you more details upon your response. I really need your urgent help before they divert this money.
 
Regards,
 
Mr. Vincent Zulu Esq.
Attorney to the deceased
 

Anti-fraud resources: