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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "\"Capt. Michael Briggs Brown\" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captmichael.briggsbrown@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2017 16:10:14 -0700
Subject: Best Regards!

Hello friend,
 
I am Michael Briggs. B, a U.S soldier currently carrying out my duty in Syria after serving in  Afghanistan. I have a proposal for you. I
and some of my colleagues recovered some huge amount of  money here last two weeks  during an operation.  We just shared the money some
days ago and I want to  move mine to a safe place and  that is why am contacting you through this mail because this is the only means of
communication I have here.
 
I came across your email when I was searching for a random person online who I can trust with this  proposal. I am willing to offer you
30% of the total money which is $15.5 million USD if you are willing to do the deal with me and I want you to know that this is very
legitimate .You can reply me as soon as possible with your information, if you are willing to do this deal with me and I will
advise you ahead on how I will send the funds out to you.
 
I will like you to provide immediately the below information's, to enable me use it and get you next of kin application form from my
bank.
1.Full Name:_________________
2.Full Address:_______________
3.Telephone Number:_________
4.Country:__________________
5.Occupation:_______________
6.Age:______________________
7.Sex:______________________
 
As soon as you reply, I will let you know the next steps and procedures and more details to follow in order to finalize this
transaction immediately.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Best Regards,
Capt. Michael Briggs  Brown
EMAIL: captmichael.briggsbrown@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: