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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Chima" <patrick_chima001@msn.com>
Reply-To: patrick_chima2001@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 01:53:08 +0000
Subject: Hello...............Urgent respond

Hello,
I am an Accountant with Union Bank ,My name is Mr Patrick Chima,a Banker. I am the personal Account Manager to (ENGINEER Edward) citizen of your country,who used to work with shell Development company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client On April 21, 2000 my client, his wife, and their three children were involved in a car accident.
All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended Relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
  After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they Get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged,particularly the Union Bank. Where the deceased had an accountValued at about ($6 million u s dollars) has Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin. have the ccount confiscated within the next ten 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 of the deceased so that this account valued at ($6 million u s dollars) can be paid to you and then you and me Can share the money. all the necessary documents concerning this claim are with the Bank legal department.
  All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you. from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my email   :reply to :Patrick_chima2001@yahoo.co.uk
Best regards
Mr Patrick Chima.

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