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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: "Antonio" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <01982769@acnrep.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:28:59 -0400
Subject: Late Mr. Richard

Good day

I got your esteem contact out of a desperate search. Please bear with me for the unsolicited email contact. My name is Antonio Andres, solicitor and financial consultant to the late Mr. Richard weir a property magnate and building contractor based here in Madrid, Spain.


In 2004, my client died in a train bomb blast here in Madrid, Spain. (Hallmark of al-Qaeda). For more information: visit this website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/europe/2004/madrid_train_attacks/default.stm

my client was a successful and an accomplished family man who made enough fortune before his untimely death. He left behind a large deposit in his investment account with one of the financial institution here spain. Upon his death, the financial institution contacted me as his solicitor and attorney to provide them with the next of kin since his family died with him in the crash leaving a vacuum to be filled. Meanwhile, i have made several inquires on my own to locate any of his family members but all has proved unsuccessful.

Presently, the bank adopted a resolution and i was mandated to provide his next of kin or inheritor within 21 banking days or forfeit the money to the bank as abandoned property and unclaimed fund decree of 1936 allowed the bank to confiscate the fund after the expiration of the period given. I am convinced that it is by the grace of God that i am able to locate you. Hence my letter to you, believing that you are reliable to be presented to the bank as the next of kin to the deceased.

By virtue of my closeness to the deceased and his immediate family, i am very much aware of my client financial stand. To this effect, i now seek your consent to present you to the bank as the inheritor so that the proceeds of this deposit valued at twenty five million dollars will be paid to you and then you and I will share the money. 45% each, while 10% will be given to the less priviledged of your own choice.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from breach of law. As a financial consultant, i assure you that this is a risk free transaction. Please get in touch with me via email with your information:

your prompt response is highly needed.
Regards,
Barr Antonio Andres (Esq)

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