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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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Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mike Okoro Esq" <mikeokoroesq@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barristermike_2005@outgun.com
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 11:12:10 -1000
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

 FROM THE DESK OF
BARRISTER  MIKE OKORO
23 FALOMO COMPLEX
IKOYI LAGOS.
NIGERIA.
                 BUSINESS PROPOSAL STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
 
 I am Barrister MIKE OKORO a Solicitor at Law and Personal Attorney
to late Mr. Thompson Sweeney , a nationality of USA who worked with Shell Development Oil Company in Nigeria. Hereinafter referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2002, my client, his wife and their two children had a fatal auto accident along Shagamu Express Road, Lagos,and unfortunately,they all lost their lives
 
 Since then, I have made several inquires to his embassy to locate any of my clients
extended relatives, however, this has proved unsuccessful. When I got your mail
contact, I decided to introduce this matter to you. I am contacting you to assist me repatriate the money he deposited with INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC, Lagos, Nigeria and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated in the Bank Treasury or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposit were lodged.
 
 Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about $21,500,000.00 (TWENTY-ONE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLARS ONLY). The bank has issued me a notice to provide the Next-
of-Kin or have the account confiscated within some specified period of time. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for almost 3 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the Next-of-Kin of the deceased so that the proceed of this fund will be paid to us in your account.This deal will perfectly work out well provided you are honest and will not seat on this fund when finally gets to your account. I am assuring you this transaction is 100% No Risk and /or Risk-Free hence you are advised to keep this transaction strictly confidential. I have all the necessary legitimate documents to authenticate your claims on the money as per ownership!
  Be rest assured that 40% of this fund will be yours and 50% will be mine while 10% will be for settling any expenses that you  or me incurred during the course of processing this payment. If you are willing to assist me on this matter please indicate your interest by replying me via the above contact email address with details of your personal or company's bank account information,your personal phone/ fax numbers and email  address. This will enable us process,and secure the original payment documents at the court and also the bank for the transfer of the money into your account. Upon receiving consent from you, we shall advise you on the next line of action which is for my chamber to write Application Letter of Claim on your behalf and submit to the Bank here immediately, for payment approvals enclosing court affidavit attachment documents.
Best regards,
BARR. MIKE OKORO

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