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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: "henry george" <henry_george101@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 10:12:35 +0000
Subject: FROM ME

DEAR SIR,

I AM BARRISTER HENRY GEORGE, PRIVATE ATTORNEY TO THE LATE MRS STELLA
OBASANJO, WIFE OF THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, WHO DIED ON
THE23RD OF OCTOBER 2005 AT A HOSPITAL IN SPAIN. SHE HAD TRAVELLED TO SPAIN
TOUNDERGO SURGERY AND DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM THAT
SURGERY,http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/10/23/obasanjo.obituary/

AS THE PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO THE DECEASED, I HANDLE MANY OF HER AFFAIRS,
MOSTLY PROPERTIES AND FUNDS BOTH DOMESTIC AND IN OVERSEAS. IN THIS CASE
MYCLIENT LEFT HUGE AMOUNT OF MILLION GB POUNDS STERLING AND SO MANY OTHER
INVESTMENTS WITH MY SIGNATURES
ABROAD.http://www.socialistnigeria.org/paper/2005/may/4.htmlVERY SOON MY
CLIENT'S FAMILY WILL CALL ME TO ACCOUNT FOR MY CLIENT'S
PROPERTIES AND FUNDS DEPOSITED IN OFFSHORES.

AT THIS JUNCTURE, I SEEK YOUR CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFACTOR
TO MY LATE CLIENT'S FUND DEPOSITED IN EUROPE WHICH I WILL DISCLOSE TO YOU,
SINCE I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE DEPOSITING OF THE FUNDS. I WILL
PROCURE ALL NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTATION THAT CAN BE USED TO BACK UP ANY
CLAIM
WE MIGHT MAKE.

ALL I REQUIRE YOUR HONEST CO-OPERATION TO ENABLE US SEEING THIS DEAL
THROUGH. I GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL BE EXECUTED UNDER A LEGITIMATE
ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL PROTECT YOU FROM ANY BREACH OF LAW,I PROMISE THAT
YOU AND I CAN SHARE THE MONEY 50/50%. ALSO SEND ME A NUMBER WHERE I CAN
CALL YOU.

I BELIEVE MY LETTER RECEIVED A FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION AS I AWAIT YOUR
RESPONSE ASAP.

REGARDS,

HENRY GEORGE ESQ


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