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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: "James Boteh" <jamesboteh1@msn.com>
Reply-To: jamesboteh@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 17:03:28 +0000
Subject: URGENT RESPOND

CHIEF JAMES UBASS & CO. L.L.B. L.L.M B.L
LEGAL PRACTITIONER AND CONSULTANT
MEMBER CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMMITTEE 1995.
email address jamesboteh@yahoo.com

Hello my friend,

I am calling from Benin Republic West Africa. I am Barrister Edward Ben, an
English speaking Beninoise, Solicitor & Financial Attorney/Consultant. I was
moved to contact you based on the present condition of things here.There is
a foreigner who registered with me as his personal Attorney and he was a
stock broker as well as a one time secret agent in importing oil from
overseas for our former Ministers. My client was also a Diamond/Gold
Merchant. So, on 2nd June 2001 my client made a numbered time (Fixed)
deposit for US$10.700,000.00(Ten Million,Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars
Only) with a Bank here in Benin,with standing statement/agreement with the
bank that all correspondences in respect to the fixed deposit contract must
be sent to him through my humble chambers. Upon maturity, the routine
notification was sent to me, which I dispatched to his forwarding address as
usual without reply.

After a month, I sent a reminder which I received from the bank without any
reply again. Finally, I discovered from my client's contract employee that
he died among many others on Sept.11, 2001 Terrorist attack. But,he died
without making any will and all attempts to trace his next of kin was
fruitless.I also discovered that he did not declare any kin or relations in
all his official documents, including his fixed deposit contract with the
bank.Hencefort, I seek your consent to present you to this bank as the next
of kin based on the official letter I just received from his bankers
reminding me that BENINOISE LAW states that at the expiration of five(5)
years the money will revert to the ownership of the BENINOISE Government if
I do not confirm the next of kin to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin to my deceased client since you shares the same surname
and also from this same country so that the fruits of thisold man's labor
will not go into the hands of some corrupt government officials.

Note that this transaction is simple and risk free because I will provide
expert legal services that will guarantee the successful execution of this
deal. If you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible through
phone, I shall provide you with more details and how we shall proceed with
the claims.I expect you to observe utmost confidentiality and be rest
assured that this transaction would be profitable for both of us. Reply me
on my private email address jamesboteh@yahoo.com

Thanks as I await for your reply.
Best Regards,
Barr JAMES UBASS Esq.


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