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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: "Legal Department" <confidential3@msn.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2006 02:45:57 +0000
Subject: Your Inheritance

Your Inheritance
Mr. A.G. Furness
Branch Manager
Bank of Ireland
Manchester Branch

Alternative email: barrister101@uk2.net

Dear Friend,
I am Mr. A.G Furness The Branch Manager of the Bank of Ireland,
Manchester. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.

In December, 2000, an American Oil consultant/contractor Mr.Jeffrey
Paul Mead made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for Twenty-Four calendar
months, valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty- five Million Dollars) in my branch.
Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address
but got no reply.  After some months, we sent a reminder and finally I
discovered from his contract employers,  that Mr.Jeffrey Paul Mead
passed away.

On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a
WILL,and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made
further investigation and discovered that Mr. Mead did not declare any
kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit
paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$25,000,000.00 is still sitting in
my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at
the end of each year.No one has ever come forward to claim it.

According to Banking Law, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the
money will revert to the ownership of  Government if nobody applies to claim
the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you to stand in as
the next of kin to Mr.Jeffrey Paul Mead so that the fruits of this old
man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials.

This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names
and address so that the Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and
affidavits which will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall
employ the services of two Attorney for drafting and notarization of the WILL
and to  obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favour for the
transfer.  A bank account in any part of the world which you will
provide will then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the
beneficiary/next of kin.  The money will be paid into your account for
us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 30% for you and 10%  be used in
settling taxation and all local and foreign expenses.There is no risk
at all as  all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney
and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution
of this transaction.

If you are interested, please reply immediately to my alternative email
address above and below  and upon your response, I shall then provide
you with more details and relevant  documents that will help you understand
the transaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall
require your assistance to invest my share in your country. I can be reached
through this email address.

I do urgently await your response.

Best regards,
Mr.  A.G. Furness
Kindly send all correspondence to:
barrister101@uk2.net

 

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