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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister. Allam Lester" <a_lester2000@freemail.et> (may be fake)
Reply-To: a_lester2001@velocall.com
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 14:14:25 +0100
Subject: From United Kingdom

From : Barrister. Allam Lester

Kindest Attention,

Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am Barrister. Allam Lester,a
Solicitor at law based in the United Kingdom and the personal attorney
to Late Mr. Bonnet Roux a National of France, who used to be a
private contractor with the Halliburton in Saudi Arabia, herein after
shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2001, he and his
wife with their three children were involved in an auto crash; all
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then, I have made several enquiries with his country's
embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also
proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I
decided to contact you with this business partnership proposal. I have
contacted you to assist in repatriating a huge amount of money left
behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposit was lodged.

The deceased had a deposit valued presently at GBP30million and the
Bank has issued me a notice to provide his next of kin or Beneficiary
by Will otherwise have the account confiscated within the next thirty
official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three
years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / Will
Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account
valued at GBP 30Million can be paid to you. This will be disbursed or
shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 40% to you.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to Back up any
claim will be obtained From the Court of England with the Certificate
Of Deposit which has been issued to me by the Bank. All I require is
your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see
this project through.

I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate
Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. All the
relevant documents that will give you the legal backing to claim the
fund will be processed.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message by e-mail. As I am based
in the United Kingdom. And please provide me the following below;
this is to enable me commence immediate preparation of all legal
document that will back up our claim.

1. Full Name
2. Your Telephone Number and Fax Number
3. Your Contact Address.

Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and
appreciated.

Best regards,

Barrister. Allam Lester.




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