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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: "Andrew Cole" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <andrewcole@ybonline.uk.pn>
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:46:03 +0100
Subject: We need to discuss

My name is Andrew Cole; I work with a bank in UK. There is an account opened in my bank in 1999 and
since 2009 nobody has operated on this account again. After going through some old files, I discovered
that transaction on this account stopped around September 2009 and since then, it has been a dormant
account.The owner of this account is late Mr. Barandus Briggs, no other person knows about this
account or anything concerning it, the late account owner has no surviving relative, his wife died 5
years before his death and they had no children of theirs.

The amount involved runs in millions. I will appreciate it most, if you will pledge your unreserved
commitment, in all area, towards assisting me in transferring out the money in this account by fronting
you as the appointed inheritor to Mr.Barandus Briggs.

Mode of operation of transaction, all existing legal documents, regarding letter of probate, Transfer of
rights and privileges and Inheritance certificate will be obtained in your name, these documents will
empower you to stand as the only surviving relative of the late owner of the account

This arrangement will automatically make you the bona-fide Heir apparent to the deceased and the
inheritor of all the assets of late Mr.Barandus Briggs domiciled in UK and you will automatically be the
beneficiary of these funds in his dormant bank account.

I have perfected all the internal bank arrangement as regards this transaction; I assure you that there
will be no risk while the transaction goes on or after the transaction. We will discuss the terms and
conditions of the transaction upon your acceptance. Do indicate your interest by a return email
or better still call me on +447024079088.

Andrew Cole
Email: andrewcole@ybonline.uk.pn

Anti-fraud resources: