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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: "Eric Thorson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <e.thorson.office@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2020 18:51:52 -0700
Subject: Access to your fund expires Tomorrow

Dear sir,

I'm hoping things are going well with you ?

I write to inform you that your long overdue inheritance of $5,000.000 is still in our custody, I am sure you already aware the fund shall expire tomorrow Monday by Twelve noon? Now, I am personally writing to help you out to access the fund before it expires tomorrow. If it expires it will be diverted to the United Nations Account,and you will know longer be allow to claim these funds again.

As the US Treasury CEO,I can use my position to effect the transfer of these funds to you. The cost of processing the release of the fund is $3,850, If I am to intervene on your behalf I guarantee you will receive your funds within two days.

I anticipate your urgent response to proceed.

Yours sincerely,

Eric Thorson.
Director
United States Treasury Department

Anti-fraud resources: