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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: "Gerald Arthur" <geraldarthur010@myself.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2017 23:18:42 +0200
Subject: How are you and your family ?

How are you and your family ?
 
My name is Mr.Gerald Arthur a Manager at the Nat-west Bank,London, United kingdom.Am a Religious man Married with two lovely kids, I am making this contact with you based on the need for an individual/company who is willing to assist me with a solution to a money transfer.This is a personal and confidential business proposal which i will like to Share with you for the benefits of both families.
 
I apologized for using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude, but this is due to Confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium. In unfolding this proposal, I want to count on you, as a respected and honest person to
handle this transaction with sincerity, trust and confidentiality.I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal Which i like to share with you.

 An account was opened in our bank in 1997 and till 20017 nobody has operated on this account, after going through some old files in the records, I discovered that if I do not remit this money out urgently it would be forfeited for nothing. This deposit was for 5years  and upon maturity I made effort to contact my client, l could not reach him. I was forced to travel to Germany and there I got the tragic news that, my client Mr. Andreas, and his wife Elizabeth,and two kids,his son in law Larry, and their children, all perished on the Monday, 31 July, 2000 plane crash in German city of Moenchengladbach.No other person knows anything concerning it because the then manager of our bank at the time late Andreas was depositing the funds have retired. Presently, the account has no other beneficiary and my investigation proved to me that his company does not know anything about this account.  The money involved is USD$20,800,000.00 (twenty Million eight hundred thousand United states Dollars).
 
We both have to treat this business with utmost confidentiality. The business will be done under legal means,and as well, we will share the benefits equally as partners. I will have to work on the files in the bank to place your name as the next of Kin to the
late Mr Andreas.There will be a need for  us to obtain some documents to back the transfer so that we can avoid any form of questioning from any angle.
 
You can receive the money through two means, through a bank to bank wire transfer or by a delivery agent.I think receiving it through a delivery agent is more safer and secure. I am seeking your assistance as a foreigner to sponsor the documentations of this transfer / Delivery .since as a  Manager am not allowed to operate foreign accounts.If you Sponsor the documentations of this transfer,the sharing will be 50% 50%.I want you to know am not a greedy man.The business is completely safe and secure, provided you treat it with utmost confidentiality. It does not matter your area of specialization, it's not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me. And this is 100% risk free.We need to trust each other so that this transaction can be executed faithfully, i want to know further details upon your acceptance of this business proposal. I will like to hear from you ASAP!You can reach me through my private emails below.
 
I wait for your Response.

Best Regards
Gerald Arthur
geraldarthur001@hotmail.com
geraldarthur07@gmail.com

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