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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: "oghene" <oghene_co_chambers@walla.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2005 03:02:46 -0800
Subject: urgent/greetings

Dear Friend,

I hope that this letter will not constitute a sort of embarrasement to you.Please bear with me let me introduce myself.I am Barrister Oghene Martins,a private attorney to the deceased as mentioned herein.Mr Morris Hough,a National of your country,who was a consultant with Shell-development Company in Nigeria and a personal friend died and left behind his deposit in a finance house(GLOBALTRUST INSURANCE COMPANY)valued at $12.5Millon(Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only).
My relationship with Mr.Morris started in 1997 when I was working with the security company as a Legal Adviser, Marina branch. We met in my social club's annual end of the year party and I introduced him to the said security company where he deposit most of his treasures some few weeks later,making me the Legal officer to the account which he operated until his unfortunate demise.On the 2nd of May 1999, Mr.Morris, his wife and their two children were involved in a car accident. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of Mr.Morris extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family or anyone related to him hence I contacted you . Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$12.500,000 (Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money.70% to me and 30% to you.The request
of a foreigner as next of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact that My client was a foreigner and a Nigerian cannot stand as a next of kin to a foreigner.
I am ready to re-negotiate the mode of sharing with you.Thereafter I will visit your country for the disbursement/investing of my share according to the percentages we agreed upon.If you find this proposal suitable for you do get back to me with the following informations Your full Name and Contact Address,Your private telephone Number Your Age Your Occupation and Position.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.You can also contact me through my alternative email : jimmy_martins008@yahoo.com
Hoping to receive a positive response from you.
Best regards,
Barrister O.J. Martins



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