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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: Barrister Leo Makeme <all0kbrown@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrleomakeme@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:07:12 +0000
Subject: Greetings From Barister Leo Makeme Lome, Togo

Greetings ,

I am Barrister Leo Makeme, Personal attorney to Late Mr A.E. Petrovna,
a contractor with one of the biggest oil servicing company here in
Lome Togo.

On the 31st of July, 2006, my client and his family were involved in a
car accident while arriving from a holiday. All occupants of the
vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. I have made several inquiries
to locate any of my clients extended relatives but was unsuccessful.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives of my client,
I am contacting you to assist me in claiming the sum of
US$8,000,000.00 million which my late client deposited with a bank
here in Togo, since you both have the same last name and he was from
your country.

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide my late client's next of
kin/relation or they will have the deposit funds confiscated if I fail
to provide any. It is standard practice that after the expiration of a
specified period, the said fund will be automatically confiscated and
transfer to the Bank treasury as unclaimed bill if there is nobody to
file in claim as the next of kin/relation to the deceased and the
account will be closed.

Please contact me as soon as possible. On receipt of your positive
response, we shall then discuss the modalities for the transfer. We
share share the money 50/50

Kindly get back to me with your;

Full name.....................
Contact Address.....................
Age.................
Telephone number...................


I will give you more clarification on the transaction as soon as I
hear from you.

Yours, Sincerely

Barrister Leo Makeme

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