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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: "Barrister Williams Donald" <barristerwilliamsdon2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barristerwilliamsdonald@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 14:19:29 +0100
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED

Barrister Williams Donald
Williams Donald & Associate
Plot 401'Attorney Avenue,
Lagos Nigeria.
Dear Friend,
Please permit my unsolicited mail,
I am a solicitor at law; as well personal attorney to Mr. Frank Taylor here in after refers as my client, who used to work with Nigeria Cement Company.
Whereas My client with his entire family were among the victims of bomb explosion in Lagos, Nigeria, that happened on Monday, 27 January, 2003, 15:53 GMT.
which claimed many lives and properties,
since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful, I decided to track for any one who can stand as my client next of kin over the Internet,hence I contacted you as someone who can help.
See the 2 website of the bomb explosion below:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm
I contacted you to assist in claiming this fund from the finance house where he deposited the fund before his untimely death.
The finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about USD{$15 Million} Fiften million United State 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
3 years now I seek yourconsent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued atUSD{$15 Million}Fiften millionUnited State dollars can be paid to you as the next of kin. All I need is your full maximum support and cooperation to enable us achieve this transaction within 10 working days and I guarantee that this
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. i also agree to pay you 40% of the found 50% to me why 10% will be pay to you incase of any expences for your side In consideration for your assistance, you will not only assist in investingthe money, you and I will be entitled to a good percentage of the whole proceeds as will be agreed.
Do pleaseindicate your willingness to assist by sending your full
name,address,private telephone and fax numbers your age and your
occupation to enable us commence immediately.
I will inform youon the next step to follow.
NOTE:All reply regarding this transaction should please sendto my
private email address (
barristerwilliamsdon@myway.com)
Bestregards,
Barrister Williams Donald.

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