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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: "James Gallagher" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamesgallagher954@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2016 02:07:33 +0100
Subject: RE:Write back

Dear friend,


I hope you recieve this letter in good time, I regret any form of perceived intrusion into your privacy.
We are conducting a standard process investigation on behalf of "AIB Group". This investigation involves
a deceased client who shares the same information with you and the circumstances surrounding his
investment with AIB Group.


The deceased customer died intestate and nominated no successor over his investment with AIB prior to
his demise. I make this contact with you since you share similar detail with the deceased customer,
I am prepared to present you to my bank as the surviving relative and beneficiary so that his entitlement
can be processed in your name and transferred into any account of your choice.


If you have any question, do not hesitate to contact me.


Thank you,

James Gallagher
Legal Executive
Allied Irish Bank
Dublin, Ireland.

Anti-fraud resources: