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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: ismail bin meri <meri_24@msn.com>
Reply-To: <ismailbi.mer@blumail.org>
Date: Sun, 20 May 2012 14:50:42 +0000
Subject: Attention: Reply Immediately,



LEGAL SOLICITORS/PRIVATE23, Jalan Bola Jaring 13/15,40000 Shah Alam,Selangor, MalaysiaTELL; +60166723623Mobile phone +66860838336
Attention: Reply Immediately, Your e-mail address came up in a random draw conducted by my law firm, Ismail Bin Meri Law Chambers in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. My name is Advocate Ismail Bin Meri (Esq.) A personal attorney to my late client Mr. Zawana Halim who worked with an oil firm here in Malaysia, Mr.Zawana Halim a well known Philanthropist, before he died, he made a Will in my law firm stating that US$9.2M Nine Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars only) should be donated to any Philanthropist of our choice outside Malaysia (Overseas.) My chambers conducted a random draw which was supervised by the Ministry of justice, The attorney General of Malaysia and Deutsche Bank Of Malaysia the bank where the money was deposited by my late client Mr. Zawana Halim, and your name and e-mail address was picked as the beneficiary to this (WILL). I am particularly interested in securing this money from the Bank, because they have issued a notice instructinga my chamber to produce the beneficiary of this Will within two weeks which happens to be you or else the money will be credited to the Government treasury as per law here in my country Malaysia. It is my utmost desire to execute the Will of our late client. You are required to contact me immediately to start the process of transferring this money to any of your designated official bank account. I urge you to contact me immediately for further details bearing in mind that the Bank has given us a date limit. Please do not hesitate to contact me if your interested by replying mail. Best RegardsAdvocate ISMAIL BIN MERIAttorney-at-Law

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