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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: "Mr. Christopher Wray" <sychinemerem79@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

--
ATTENTION!!!
From the FBI
Read and get back to me is very urgent!!!
I'm contacting you over the email however I feel it is more convenient
for me to explain reasons which I'm contacting you.

I'm FBI Director
Mr. Christopher A Wray, the United States FBI Director, I work hand in
hand with the United States Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigation
Division (CID). I'm specialized in Background Investigations on funds
which include (INHERITANCE/COMPENSATION, NEXT OF KIN, FUNDS
Consignment Box, Lotto JACKPOT, LOANS) and I noticed that you have
being receiving numerous emails from people who claims to have funds
for you, claiming you as the beneficiary but I will advise you that if
you're still in communication with any of them on issue of funds
however, you are hereby advised to stop every communication right now
with any about funds because those people has being investigated and
confirmed to be a Fraudster.
I wish to announce our successful
investigation which was carried out few days ago; I guess it will
interest you to know why this investigation was conducted.

For your
information, it was truly that you have 100% Legitimate unpaid
transaction and you have every
right to claim this funds as you're been confirmed to be the rightful
owner of the said amount Five million, five hundrend thousand dollars
($5.5 Million US Dollar)

Full Name................
Home Address..............
phone Number...........
Country....................
Occupation...........

email me at redacted@domain.name

I’m waiting to hear from you with your requested details listed above.


BEST REGARDS
Mr. Christopher A Wray
The FBI managing director.

Anti-fraud resources: