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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: "Michael M" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michaelmrgn55@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 18:17:19 +0800
Subject: Your Friend Michael.. Get back to me...Merry Xmas

To Whom it may Concern...


Dearest,

Well, What i am about telling you is true and might benefit us both if you work in one faith together.

I am Barr. Michael Morgan, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to LATE Engr.Ralf, who worked with Shell Development in United Kingdom. On the 21st of Dec 2011, my client lost his life on the N1 high way in a Fatal Accident along Northern N1 express road in South Africa on an holiday trip with his family.
But unfortunately all occupants of the vehicle lost their lives.

It's almost a year now, since then I have made several enquiries from here to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful and several International People finders were contacted by my firm but he has no specified next of kin. Meaning he has no other Next of kin.

Well, I'm contacting you work together, to assist in recovering the fund valued at US$12.7 million left behind by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge amount were deposited. The said Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within a given period which worries me so much, since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for so long now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you are overseas, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.


Therefore, on receipt of your positive response which i truly look forward too, our sharing ratio can be 60% to 40%. I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for successful claim. All I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Kindly write me back if you are willing, to enable us discuss further about this transaction.

All legal documents to back up your claims as the deceased next of kin will be provided. Your prompt response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.

Regards
Barr. Michael Morgan

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