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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: "Prince Lucky" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pl073846@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2017 09:59:40 -0800
Subject: Please I need your help

Hello,

Prince Lucky is my name, 16 yrs old From Yiraia Town and a Sierra Leonean by nationality. I am presently residing in Border, North Republic as a result of war that ravaged my country couple of years ago. And the story can be seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Leone_Civil_War

I wanted to facilitate this agreement by myself, but I am relatively new to this environment, and so seek your assistance to help me claim the money my late mom deposited in the Bank and transfer it over to your possession since my age status has deprive me the right to this effect.

I wish to share with you in confidence that the amount totaling US$6 Million, which my Mother deposited with a Financial Bank. The Fund is due as per mandated for claim, and must be claimed by the depositor or his or her next of kin.

Therefore the reason I decided to write you to stand as the next of kin to my late mother is because I cannot do that due to my Age. Please if you can be trusted, I will forward to you all evident deposit of the fund when you comply. You will be compensated with 50% of the total fund after the transaction.

Yours sincerely,

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