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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: "Bruno James" <brunojames@accountant.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2017 01:04:19 +0200
Subject: Confidencial

Good day,

I hope all is well with you. I am the director of file/accountancy unit of my bank. However I will like us to share a confidential risk-free deal amount to $21 million US Dollars ( 21,000,000 ) The depositor of the said funds is an oil tycoon from Iraq who died in a bomb blast with all his family in 2007, unfortunately leaving nobody for the claim. If we make this claim, we will share the funds 50\50 and the transfer will be carried out under proper legal system . To indicate your readiness, please reply for more details  thanks.

Kind regards
Bruno James.

Anti-fraud resources: