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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: "Mr. Gary Reiner" <2179103446@qq.com>
Reply-To: 3297399828@qq.com
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2017 07:03:01 +0900
Subject: Through Deceased Account File (WE DISCOVER YOU NEXT OF KIN)

Dear Sir/Relative,
Your name and email was found in deceased file in Citibank
Representative Ghana, while we confirmed the Late Customer (ENGR. JACK
FARRAR POWELL) before he died made you next of kin to his account, which
stated upon demised, you shall inherit account balance, since deceased
has paid all taxes related to the release of this legacy to your favor.
The Citibank N.A Ghana has giving me five (5) working days to provide
deceased next of kin as mentioned for their payment, since I was
deceased account officer, otherwise Citibank will confiscate the
US$28.5M (Twenty Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) which
deceased left in your favor, as abandoned funds under instruction of
Ghanaian Parliament.
Although, several official letters were sent to your address through
Citibank Headquarter, since no response from you, which the bank
instructed me to reach you privately on this same Email address, which
deceased indicated to reach his relative/next of kin.
I withheld Deceased information and details until your response to my
mail with information below, confirming you are the same
Relative/Business Partner, whose name and contacts appeared in deceased
account file for immediate payment.
1) Your Full Name.
2) Your Telephone, Mobile, Office & Home Number.
3) The Copy of Your ID Card (Passport or Driver’s License) for
identification.
The Citibank has instructed Ministry of finance Ghana to release above
funds to you upon your response confirming the same name which deceased
mentioned in your International Passport/Driver License to avoid wrong
payment.
Like I said, details will be given to you, including deceased documents
which Citibank/Parliament of Ghana will request for your identification
to release above funds to you.
Kindly contact me through my alternative email (b.hendricksj@yahoo.com)
Regards,
Mr. Johannes Hendricks, (Retired Banker) I am South African Citizen, and
I was Account Officer to ENGR. POWELL for 9years before he died.

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