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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: "Richard Benson" <r_benson005@msn.com>
Reply-To: benson_rich4@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:07:57 +0000
Subject: OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT

RICHARD BENSON & ASSOCIATES
(LEGAL PRACTITIONERS)
PLOT 23/23 DURO AJAYI STREET
VICTIORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS NIGERIA.
Email:benson_rich4@yahoo.co.uk
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
I am Barrister Richard Benson(Esq) a solicitor at law. On the 21st of November 2002,my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Warri/Port Harcourt express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
 
Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the Union Bank Nig Plc. where the deceased had an account valued at about US$18.3 million dollars. I have been issued a notice by the bank to provide the next of kin to my late client or have the account confiscated after three years if not claimed and We have just one year left.
 
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are a foreigner so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$18.3 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 55% shall be for me and 45% for you while 5% is earmarked for expenses that will be incurred during the process of transfer of the fund. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.
 
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Please get get intouch with me with the above email to enable us discuss further. You may also, send your phone number so that I can call you.
 
I look forward to your immediate response:benson_rich4@yahoo.co.uk.
 
Sincerely Yours,
Richard Benson(Esq).
 

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