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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: "elvis davis" <bar_elvis_chamber@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 03 Oct 2005 10:34:41 +0000
Subject: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

GREAT ELVIS DAVIS LAW FIRM UK,
12 Campshill Road,
London United Kingdom
Email:bar_elvis_chamber@msn.com
Phone:+447031916232

Dear Harold Britton,

Thanks for your mail, my late client's name once more is Mr.William Britton
He was a Director with Shell Petroleum Development Company in Gabon before
his death. Sequel to your response to my proposal to claim the inheritance
of my late client, I believe with your cooperation and we will make this
come to reality. I will be meeting with the UK federal high court authority
to ascertain an affidavit of claim on your behalf hence I receive your
response.

Also I want you to understand that you, not being a relative of my client is
never a barrier to the success of this transaction. As you can bear with me,
a NEXT OF KIN to one can be his father, Mother, Sister, Wife or Husband,
Brother, distant relations (Cousin, Nephew, Niece) In-law, business
associate, friend, or even a well wiser.

According to Government Policy here, any account that is non-operational for
a period of two years is to be frozen by the Government. This account could
not be frozen after all these years due to my involvement and protective
eyes as the attorney, unfortunately I cannot protect the deposit any longer
because the pressure is becoming so much on me.

Moreover, I will not like you to worry yourself about the legitimacy of this
transaction, for all the legal papers will been obtain to back up your claim
from the financial company where the money is deposited. As we proceed you
will testify to its legality. However to enable me commence the necessary
legal paperwork from the Federal High Court to authenticate you as the
RELATIVE/NEXT OF KIN of the deceased I shall require the following
information from you;

Full names .......
Mailing Address............
Sex............
Age............
Occupation............
Marital status.............
Nationality..............
Tel & Fax No..............

As soon as I receive the above stated information, I shall proceed to the
High Court of Justice here to swear an affidavit of fact or claim to
authenticate you as a RELATIVE/NEXT OF KIN to the deceased and subsequently
forward the affidavit to the Probate Registry for a Letter of Administration
which will empower the financial company to release the deposit without
further scrutiny.

Once more I wish to thank you for finding time to reply to my letter
irrespective of your busy schedule.

I will be waiting for your mail as time is of most importance in this
transaction.

Regards
Elvis Davis Esq.

NB: Please note that this is my confidential and convenient email address
for future correspondences contact me here.



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