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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: "JAMES GREEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <no_risksinvolved@gmail.co.za>
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2016 00:26:32 -0800
Subject: LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU.

                                 ;;;;;;;; TOP SECRET MY FRIEND;;;;;;;;;;
 
My Names are Barister James Green; a UK based international financial consultant/attorney. One of my clients a top South African government officials (name) withheld for security reason, has instructed me to write you this proposal in good faith and if you are not interested, please ignore this mail and go about your normal business; I am 53 years old married with three lovely kids and I will not want any problem, I have been mandated to look for a genuine honest person to entrusted good sum of money for safekeeping investments due to the current situation with the Libya government and South Africa right now regarding the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's fund in South Africa.
In case you are not aware, the Libyan investigators have already met top government officials in South Africa to discuss locating, securing and repatriating the loot brought there by Gaddafi and his children. The investigators believe there is evidence of more than $1-billion in cash, gold and diamonds being held by four banks and two security companies in South Africa.
There are practically no risks involved, it will be a bank-to-bank transfer, and all I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of these funds who made the deposit and with the help of the top government official whom I represent the head office of the bank/security company will order the transfer to your designated bank account. If you accept to work with me, I will appreciate you get back to me so that we can go over the details and I will give you the full information’s. Remember there is no risk involved, email your response to my private email AT  info.james_green@oath.com
Thank you in advance and May God bless you and your family, Looking forward to hear from you
Honourably Yours,
Mr. James Green Esq.
Direct contact: +44 7700309269.

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