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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: " Stacey Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <staceysmith055@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2018 04:33:32 -0700
Subject: URGENT ATTN.

Dear . I’M a US Military personnel Sergeant Betty Stacey Smith currently in Bagram Air Base,Afghanistan.  Am supportive and caring, looking forward to get a nice andhonest friend whom i can share my lonely life story,fortunately I read your profile on Google and pick interest on you. I will like to establish mutual friendship with you by introducing this deal to you. My dear friend i want you to know that we are being attacked by insurgents everyday and night here in Afghanistan.
 
It was during one of our rescue mission we came across a safe box in ISIS Stronghold that contain huge amount of money that runs into Millions of dollars and other foreign currencies belonging to the revolutionaries, which we believe they use in buying weapons,ammunition's and supporting their group worldwide , and it was agreed by all parties in present that the money will be shared among us. Out of the total fund my share was $4,750,000 (Four Million seven Hundred   and fifty Thousands united states Dollars).
 
I am seeking your assistance to receive and keep my share of the money, which is $4,750,000 out of here to you, in as much as you can assure me that my own share will be safe in your care until when i will be coming back in June. We have made solid arrangements with a UNITED NATION DIPLOMAT whom have been lifting this funds for other of my Military colleagues to different destinations,who promised to deliver my own fund as soon as i have someone to receive it from him(Diplomat)One
 
passionate appeal I will make to you is not to discuss this matter to a third party.if you have reasons to reject this offer, please destroy this e-mail to avoid any leakage of this information and it will be dangerous to me based on my position here. This is not stolen money, and there are no dangers involved. Contact me on my private email address if you can receive this funds, here is the address.
 
(staceysmith055@gmail.com)
Thanks and regards.
Sgt Stacey Smith

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