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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "makis k" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <makiskeravnos@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 May 2011 02:05:37 +0100
Subject: ACKNOWLEDGE

Mr Makis Keravnos
Hellenic Bank
PO Box 24747
1394 Nicosia, Cyprus
Email: makiskeravnos@gmail.com

Hello,

My name is Mr. Makis Keravnos, I am well trained and work with the Hellenic Bank private banking department. I Work as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Asia region. I have taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavours.

On routine audit check last month, I discovered some investment accounts that have been dormant for the last Two years, all the accounts belonging to a single holder with monies totalling a little above (US$28.5 Million United States Dollars).Banking regulation/legislation in Cyprus demand that I notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time period of One years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the monitory regulatory bodies. The above set of facts underscores my reason of writing and making the following proposal.

My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor is one of the Egyptian Leaders(President Mubarak of Egypt) Associates funds the exact time the account was last operated, I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died interstate and no next-of-kin to his estate has been found or has come forward all these years. I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as an unclaimed fund into the coffer of the Cyprus Government. This is especially possible as I can make you stand as his extended relative. This is exactly why I crave your participation and co-operation.

I have seized all relevant documents (Legal and Banking) including access to the very account of the deceased. That will facilitate my fronting you as the claimant/sole beneficiary of the decease estate/huge capital (US$28.5M) and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you and of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction with 50% compensation from the total funds for your efforts, less any expenses.

I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Be assured that I am on top of the situation. There will be no risk involved whatsoever if you agree to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect all from any bridge of law. To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please contact me through my private email stating the followings:

Full Name; (2) Telephone, Fax and Mobile Numbers; (3) Postal Address: (4) Occupation; (5) Date of Birth (6) Passport/Driver's license

Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards

Mr. Makis Keravnos


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