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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: "INFO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steinmullerw@yahoo.co.nz>
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 02:33:01 +0300
Subject: RE: PLEASE CLARIFY

>From The Desk of Mr. Werner Steinmuller
Telephone: +447937141689.
Email:
 
 
Dear friend,
 
It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me but I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest to share with you that why i did my research in a business data-base which allow me got your email address......
 
 
Let me start by introducing myself as Werner Steinmuller, Global Head of Offshore Banking at Deutsche Bank. I am getting in touch with you regarding the estate of Michael's and an investment placed under our banks management 8 years ago, I have taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavors.
 
 
I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of this mail confidential and respect the integrity of the information you come by as a result of this mail. I contact you independently and no one is informed of this communication. In 2004, the subject matter; Michael came to our bank to engage in business discussions with our private banking division. He informed us that he had a financial portfolio of  US$41.000.000.00 United States dollars, which he wished to have us invest on his behalf.
 
Based on my advice, we spun the money around various opportunities and made attractive margins for our first months of operation, the accrued profit and interest stood at $5.350.000.00 United States Dollars, which brings the total portfolio to US$46.350.000.00. In mid 2006, he instructed that US$4.000.000.00 .be wired to an account in Canada while the balance (US$ 42.350.000.00) be liquidated because he needed to make an urgent investment requiring cash payments. We got in touch with a specialist bank namely Wealth Management & Financial Control Unit.Opec AG Financial Group.Financial Clearing House. Texas,USA. who agreed to receive this money for a fee and make cash available to our client. However Opec AG Financial Group.Financial got in touch with us last year that this money has not been claimed.
 
On further inquiries we found out that  my late Client was involved in an accident in London. He has no next of kin, which means he died intestate and the reason I am writing you is because you are namesakes sharing the same last name.
 
What I propose is that since I have exclusive access to his file, you will be made the beneficiary of these funds. Opec AG Financial Group.Financial will contact you informing you that money has been willed to you. On verification, which will be the details I make available to the Deutsche Bank. Opec AG Financial Group.Financial will be instructed to make payments to you after all the necessary verification and application is done. You do not need to have known my late Client. I know this might be a bit heavy for you but please trust me on this. For all your troubles I propose that we split the money (US$42.350.000.00) in half. In the banking circle this happens every time. The other option is that the money will revert back to the state . Nobody is getting hurt; this is a lifetime opportunity for us. I hold the KEY to these funds, as a Europe National we see so much cash and funds being re-assigned daily. I would want us to keep communication for
nowstrictly by telephone and email.
 
I have seized all relevant documents (Legal and Banking) including access to the very account of the deceased. This will facilitate me putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you. I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Be assured that I am on top of the situation. There will be no risk involved whatsoever if you agree to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law.
 
Please, again, note I am a family man; I have a wife and children. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to the consequences, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never come easy or on a platter of gold. This is the one truth I have learned from my private banking clients. Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should act swiftly on this. Please pardon my writing mistakes.
 
To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal Please get back to me immediately via Email as above stating your interest to assist and i will give you the full details..
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
 
Best Regards
Mr. Werner Steinmuller

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