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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: "Steve Bright" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barrstevebright20@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:05:39 -0500
Subject: From Barr. Steve Bright

Steve Bright & Co
(Legal practitioners, Will, Finance & Probate Solicitor)
Campden Hill House, 192-196 Campden Hill Road, London W8 7TH.
E-mail: barrstevebright20@yandex.com
Phone: +44-797-835-7339

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Steve Bright, a Legal practitioner here in London and I wish to solicit your assistance in a deal that involves reasonable amount of money. This deal by virtue of its nature must be utterly confidential and top secret. Though I know that transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that this will be done under a legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of the law.

Like I stated above, I am a Legal practitioner here in London and I came to know you in my private search for a reliable and reputable Business Person/individual that can handle this confidential deal with me, which requires maximum confidence and trust from both sides.


MY PROPOSITION:
I had a client by name Mr. Paul Louis Halley who was one of the richest men in France but does most of his business in London, Asia, USA and Canada. He was into several businesses before his untimely death by air crash. This BBC news website will give you comprehensive picture of what I am talking about (http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4537663.stm ). My client who died along with his lovely wife deposited the Sum of $31.7 Million (Thirty One million, Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) with a bank in Canada.

During the bank audit exercise, the bank discovered my late client's deposit as an unclaimed credit balance, hence issued me a notice to provide any relatives of my client otherwise they will have the account closed and the fund confiscated. I have made several inquiries to his high commission to locate my client's extended relatives, but all my efforts proved abortive, I then decided to trace his relatives or family member over the internet, and hence I found you as my instinct convinces me that you will be a trustworthy and honest business partner and I decided to contact you to assist me in repatriating my late client's deposit before it got confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Financial institution where the fund is lodged. The bank wants me to provide the next of kin because I signed as a witness when the money was deposited into the bank and secondly the bank knows that I am the personal attorney to late Mr. Paul Louis Halley and they trust
me and believe that I can provide the next of kin since the late customer did not indicate any next of kin on his account before his death. This is a life changing business opportunity which you will not like to miss and I can assure you 100% success if only you can work with me in trust and honesty.

I now seek your permission to present you as my deceased client relative and have you stand as the Next of Kin to my deceased client so that the funds of $31.7 Million (Thirty One million, Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) can be released and paid into your account as the beneficiary and next of kin.

I will provide all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up our claim. Please get in touch with me immediately if you are interested to assist me and send to me your contact address, and direct telephone number, then I will commence work in your name. Be informed that this transaction is risk free otherwise my chambers will not contact you because it is against our ethics.

Acknowledge the receipt of this mail by replying with the bellow info.


Your full name

Your occupation

Your telephone number

Your home address

Your marital status

Your sex (male or female)



These requirements will enable us file letters of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor.

NOTE: We will share the proceed from this deal 50/50 percent, you will take 50% of the money and I will take 50%.
Looking forward to your prompt response. you can call me on this phone +44-797-835-7339 for more details.


Yours Sincerely,

Barr. Steve Bright.
Steve Bright & Co
Phone: +44-797-835-7339

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