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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Peters Williams" <peters_williams_2005@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2005 15:22:10 +0000
Subject: Please urgent response.

Hello,

Great day to you,

I would like to begin by way of introduction, Dr. name is Dr. Peters
Williams. native of london. I am a senior employee in london. Department of
Energy and Mineral Resources.

I got your contact through my personal research and out of desperation
decided to reach you through this medium.
I am writing this letter to solicit your co-operation in order to redeem an
investment currently held under trust with the Department of Energy and
Mineral Resources of london.

The said investment now valued at 26.426M pounds. (Twenty six million, four
hundred and twenty six thousand pounds), was originally purchased by one
Mr.wayne michael, and leased to the Orange Mining Corporation in 1999.

Since the maturity of this contract in September 1999, several attempts have
been made without success to contact Mr. wayne michael or any of his close
relatives, in whose favuor the investment cash value can be paid.

My partner, who is the Account Director in the same Ministry and I,have
initiated the process of filing a claim for this money with the hope of
having the funds transferred to you. In order to do this, we will swear an
affidavit in the High Court of my country stating that you are a distant
cousin and next of kin to Mr.wayne the owner of the money. After which, we
will file a claim for this money from the Department of Energy and Mineral
Resources, indicating that you were appointed by Mr.wayne to be the
beneficiary of these funds.

When the claim is approved you as the beneficiary will be paid the sum of
26.426M pouns.The money will be paid directly to any bank of your choice,
you will have the responsibility to ensure that my partner and I receive
70%of the money while you keep the remaining 25% for your assistance.The
remaining 5% will be for incidental expenses. I want to assure you that my
partner and I are in a position to make the payment of this claim possible
provided that you can give us very strong guarantee that our share will be
secured,and that you will not take advantage of our position.

Be assured that there is absolutely nothing to worry about in the view of
this claim. It is perfectly safe with no risks involved, and it is not
subject to any inquiry, since my partner and I will behandling the claim
directly london on your behalf. I do hope my proposal is acceptable to you.

Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter, so that I can provide you
with more clarification about the claim and how we intend to make this deal
beneficial to everyone involved.Please rememeber to give me your name in
full and your phone number and your fulladdress for easy communication.

Please reply to this maill address: peters_williams@sify.com

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Peters Williams.


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