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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: "Mr. Russell R." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <11robertruss@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2017 02:23:51 -0800
Subject: Call to action!!!

Attn: Consignee,
 
I was informed that your Cash suitcase has been transferred to a Bank in Texas for an onward transfer of the $10MillionUSD into your account. Please get back urgently with your details:
 
1. Your Full Name.
2. Home phone & Cell Phone
3. Bank information
5. Any form of Identification either Drivers license or International Passport.   
 
So that I will let you know how to contact the Bank for immediate transfer of the money into your account.
 
My commission is 30% once you receive the cash. I have spent really time and money on this.
 
Regards,
Robert Russell.
UN Audit Officer.
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: