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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Head of Internal Audits, LFSG - UK" <thmhendricks@workmail.com>
Reply-To: thrmhendricks@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2017 23:47:06 +0100
Subject: If You Can


- This mail is in HTML. Some elements may be ommited in plain text. -

Hello,

Do take a moment to consider the contents of this letter. My contact to you is strictly personal and confidential. I dare not contact you via my official email to maintain the absolute confidentiality required in these deal.

By way of introduction, I am Thurman Hendricks, Head of Accounts &amp; Audits of a Financial Institution in the United Kingdom. While performing my Official Duty, I discovered a floating account opened in 1999, which belongs to one Mr. K. P. Boulos, who died in 2009 leaving no heir or a will. In line with our internal processes for account holders who have passed away, we instituted our own investigations in good faith to determine who should have right to claim the estate. This investigation has for the past months been unfruitful. We have scanned every continent and used our private investigation affiliate companies to no avail. My official capacity dictates that my department supervises the eventual outcome of the investigation. My intention is to present you as the last batch of relatives we had considered; I honestly can present and back you up with all requirements as the legal next of kin to the deceased. I'll guide you in facilitating the remittance of the deceased's funds from the floating account to your account or safe and trusted account for our mutual benefits. You may set up a new account or provide an existing account that will serve the purpose of receiving these funds. I?ll use my office to facilitate the transfer of the above sum as investment fund to you.

I will be behind the scene to guide you appropriately. All details as regards the floating account which would enable the remittance to your account are intact. Contacts between us won't be through my official phone lines or official email account because the transaction will be done under the clock of my employers. Contacts will be through my personal mobile phone and emails. Same could be applied to you if you wish. My official lines are not secure lines as they are periodically monitored to assess our level of customer care in line with our Total Quality Management Policy.

Please observe this instruction religiously. Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should plan a meeting soon. When responding, kindly include your direct mobile number so that I can call you for a few briefings.

Looking forward to hear from you at the earliest.

Sincerely,
Thurman Hendricks
Head of Internal Audits
Private Fax: +44 203 807 4757


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