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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: " barr.michealsmithlawfirm" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < barr.michealsmithlawfirm@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 13:30:04 -0700
Subject: your mail.

I am compelled to write you this email for the following reason:-

One of my deceased client, who work in Iraq as a language translator
attached to 1st BN, 68th Amour Reg, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry as an interpreter during the Middle East war discovered millions
of US dollars and use my chambers to safe-guard the funds for
safe-keeping over the years, with a Finance and Security firm in Europe,
content of the consignment was not disclose to the deposited firm as physical
cash up to date.

You can visit the website for clarification
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

I will send you the full details of the Security & Trust Company in
whose custody the funds are lodged, including the modalities of claiming
and receiving the consignment. But you "MUST” assure me that, you can
be TRUSTED, as I need your unwavering assurance; due to the fact that
this transaction is 100% legal and risk free, all I need from you is,
keeping this as top secret, so it will be concluded under a legitimate
arrangement within two weeks.


I therefore seek your utmost indulgence as partnership in claiming and
receiving the cash consignment from the finance and security firm for
investments on viable businesses of mutual beneficial interest in any
profitable ventures in your domain.

You can reach me via this E-mail address: barr.michealsmithlawfirm . for
further explanation.

Micheal Smith Esq.
+447045752391.

Anti-fraud resources: