joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "William Brown Esq" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtwilliamlathan@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 06:45:32 +1000
Subject: William Brown Esq.

With all due respect,



My name is William Brown and an attorney by profession, in my quest to find a
reliable trustee to manage the assets/estate of my late client valued at only
US$11,000,000.00 (Eleven Million United States Dollars), I contacted you and
it is the only reason why you are receiving this email from me I shall be
willing to supply you with more detailed information concerning this business
project upon hearing back from you.



I have no intention whatsoever to delve into your private life considering the
fact that you have never had any communication with me in the past, but due to
the nature of this business project based on the fact that I lack the
locus-stand to assume the role of the trustee or appoint any of my relation to
become the trustee by virtue of the facts and circumstances surrounding this
project, I am left with no other choice, but to carry out a discreet search
for a reputable person outside the shores of my country and consequently seek
your stewardship.



If you wish to render your selfless service, but very rewarding, do provide me
with your telephone numbers and home address via email.(sgtwilliamlathan@gmail.com)



I shall provide you with more detailed information upon hearing back from you.
Thank you, all inconvenience is regretted.



Best regards,
William Brown Esq.

Anti-fraud resources: