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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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Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "ugo williams" <ugowilliams_legalchambers@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ugowilliams_legalchamber@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 12:38:32 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT

From The Desk Of:
Barrister Ugo Williams.
Ugo Williams & Associates.
{ solicitor and advocates}
Address:11/12 Cornel Marway Avenue Lagos.
Tel: 234-80-60090260
 
Attn: Friend,
 
I am Barrister Ugo Williams (Attorney at law)
I am  a personal attorney to late foreigner,  an international contractor  who was awarded two different contracts  with shell Development Company here before his untimely demise On the 10th of June 2000.
 
My client and his wife including their only Son were involved in a car accident along Abba express road kiriki . All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
 
Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my client extended relatives, this has proved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet; basically to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I contacted you to assist in recovering the Fund valued at {USD$8.3Million}Eight million three hondred thausand United state Dollars, executed contract fund that was approved in favour of  my late client. Being the proposed payment for the contract he executed with the federal ministry of works and housing in Nigeria before his untimely demise on the 10th of june 2000.
 
The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the fund confiscated within the next three months of official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over four years now, I seek your  consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you bear similar surname that will prove you without doubt his relative, so that the proceeds of this contract fund  can be paid to you.
 
Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for the transfer. I have all necessary information and legal Documents needed to back you up for the claim. All I required from you is your honest and maximum co-operation to enable us see that this transaction emerge successful. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
 
Finally, your telephone and fax numbers are urgently needed for easy communication on the commencement modalities of this claim.
 
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
Barrister Ugo Williams.

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