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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: "kenneth williams" <info@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <kenwf20@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:04:34 +0600
Subject: From Kenneth Williams

My dearest Sir/Madam,
Permit me to inform you of my desire of entering into business relationship
with you. I got your email through website directory of chamber of commerce
and industry here in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. I prayed over it and
selected your name among other names due to its esteeming nature and
recommendations given to me as a reputable and trustworthy person I can do
business with, and by their recommendations I must not hesitate to confide
in you for this simple and sincere business.
I am Kenneth Williams by name and my younger sister Juliet the only son and
daughter of late Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Williams, my father was a military
person and was also engage into cocoa merchant in Cotonou the economic
capital city of Republic of Benin. before he was poisoned to death by his
business associates on one of their outing to discuss on a business deal.
When our father died on the 21st of October 2001.my mother took me and my
sister so special because we are fatherless.
Our mother later died on the 17th of October 2007. But before the death of
our mother on the 17th October 2007 in a private hospital here in Cotonou,.
She secretly called me on her bedside and told me that our father has a sum
of (US$18,000,000.00) EIGHTEEN MILLION US DOLLARS, left in a local bank
here in Cotonou. That he used my name as his only son for next of kin in
deposit of the money. She also explain to me that it was because of our
fathers wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates, that I
should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will
transfer this money and use it for investment purpose. Such as:
1). Real Estate Management 2). The Transport Industry 3). Five Star Hotel
I am honorably seeking your assistance in the following ways:
1) To provide a bank account where this money would be transferred to
2) to serve as the guardian of this money since I am a boy of 22 years
3) to make arrangement for me and my sister to come over to your country to
further our education as you will be the manager of this money and to
secure a residential permit in your country for me and my sister Juliet.
I am willing to offer you 20% of the total sum as compensation for your
effort input after the successful transfer of this money to your nominated
account overseas. Furthermore, you can indicate your option towards
assisting me as I believe that this transaction will be concluded within
seven (7) days you signify your interest to assist me. Please get back to
me as soon as possible. Any delay in your reply will give me room in
looking for another contact for this same purpose.
Anticipating to hear from you soonest.
Yours Sincerely,
Kenneth Williams and Juliet Williams
 
 
 

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