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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: "Stephen Teller" <stephtello1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: stephtell@surfy.net
Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 08:31:48 +0000
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL (STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL)

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL (STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL)
FROM: BARRISTER STEPHEN TELLER
LAGOS, NIGERIA

Firstly, not to cause you embarrassment, I am Barrister Stephen Teller, a
Solicitor at law and the personal attorney to late Mr. Leo Huner a National
of France who used to be a private contractor with the Shell Petroleum
Development Company in Nigeria, herein after shall be
referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2002, 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 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 am contacting you to
assist in repatriating a huge amount of money left behind by my client
before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Union Bank, Plc
where this huge deposit is lodged.
The deceased had a deposit valued presently at US$15 Million US Dollars and
the bank has issued me a notice to provide his Next of Kin or beneficiary
otherwise they will have the account frozen within the next thirty 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 and the
beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at
US$15 Million US dollars can be paid to you. This will be disbursed or
shared in theis ratio of, 60% to me and 40% to you.
I shall process all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up
all claims. All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and
Trust to enable us see this transaction through.
I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law.
1. Your full name and address
2. Your complete Bank Account information(into which you wish the US$15
Million to be remitted).
3.Your telephone number and fax numbers
Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.
Best regards,
Stephen Teller


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