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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: "Peter Azu" <peterazu@peterazu.com>
Reply-To: peterazu3@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 21:29:11 +0000
Subject: Urgent Greeting

Urgent Greeting
From: Azu Peter
Ben Peter & associates (EO&S)
Plot 102 Williams street Victoria Island
Lagos-Nigeria.
Email: peterazu4@yahoo.co.in

Attention:Sir/Madam
I am Barrister Azu Peter a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to
one of the victims, who used to work with one of the oil company's in
Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. See website below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
On the 31st July 2000, my client, his wife and their two children were
involved in a Air France concord plane crash bound for New York in their
plan for a world cruise. All the passenger lost their lifes Since then I
have made several enquiries to his country's embassy to locate any of my
clients 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 hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property
left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged.
Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account
valued at about $8.5million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the
next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official
working days.

since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2
years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this
account valued at $8.5million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me
can share the money, 60% to me and 40% to you.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any
claim we may make. 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.

Please get in touch with me by my email as above, or alternatively
through peterazu4@yahoo.co.in
Best regards,
Barr. Azu Peter (ESQ)
Azu Peter & associates (BF&A)
Plot 102 Williams street Victoria Island Lagos-Nigeria


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