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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: "Stephen Townsend" (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2019 07:07:31 -0700
Subject: re

Hello .
 
I hope this message finds you in good health.. I'm sorry I don't really mean to intrude your privacy, but I still need to reach you anyways. I'm Gen Stephen Townsend.. The U.S Head of Military in charge of Syria and Iraq.
I wanna confide in you. My mission in the Middle East will be completed at the end of December 2019.. I'm looking forward to my resignation from the Military. It's been a great experience and honour serving my country and humanity.  Being the only child of my late parents made life even tougher as no one offered me support of any kind, but that never discouraged me from giving my best and making sacrifices for the betterment of our world. Recently I took time out of my busy schedule to reflect on my life; the past, the present and the future, family etc, and I concluded that it's time to draw the curtains on my career.
 
Four years ago, I provided security services to top officials of Arab Petroleum Marketers during the meeting in Damascus and Aleppo, and I was paid US$5.5 Million for the services which covers shipment of thousands of barrels of Crude Oil to UAE and Qatar. The crude oil were purchased legally, but they needed protection while they were here in Syria and also to ensure the shipment is escorted across Syrian borders.
 
 With the current chaos in Syria it's impossible to remit this fund to my U.S account without drawing attention to myself. Secondly, I don't have any sibling to receive the fund on my behalf. I'm among 8 Top military Officers deployed to Iraq on an Inspection mission (To observe the military operations in Mosul City). Our departure is imminent, hence I solicit your assistance to receive the money on my behalf and keep it safe.
 
There is no trace of irregularities or Illegality as regards the fund. As a Military Personnel, I represent the law and would not engage myself in an illegal Transaction. It's 100% legal.
Syrian banks have been shut down indefinitely, especially from International Transactions. As a matter of fact, I have made a concrete arrangement for a UN Diplomatic Service Agency to deliver this fund to you without hitches.
 
I'm offering you 30% of the total fund for your assistance to receive and save the fund.
Like i said, the delivery is legal and will be documented, and that guarantees risk-free transaction.  There's no risk whatsoever.
 
So, please confirm your willingness to assist me, then I will furnish you with more details, and we will expedite action in the delivery process. I hope this transaction is get way of becoming business partners as well as good friends.
 
 
Kindest Regards
 
Stephen Townsend

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