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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: "NatWestBank Plc" <natwestbankplc@sympatico.ca>
Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:12:18 +0000
Subject: Manager Natwest Bank Plc


FROM: Mr. Anderson Hale
Manager Natwest Bank Plc
57 Victoria St, London,
Tel:+44 7871 568193
 
Good day,
I am Anderson Hale, Bank Manager of Natwest Bank Plc (London). I have
urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On December 9
2001, an American oil consultant/contractor with the Government of
Kuwait, Mr. John Norman made a numbered time (Fixed) deposited for twelve
calendar months, valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty-five Million
Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his
forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and
finally we discovered from his contract employers, that Mr. John Norman
died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out
that he did not leave a WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin
were fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered
that Mr. John Norman did not declare any next of kin in all his official
documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork. This sum of
US$25,000,000.00 is still sitting in the Bank and the interest is being rolled
over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will come
forward to claim it. According to the London Banking laws, at the
expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the
Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Consequently, my proposal
is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin
to Mr. John Norman so that the fruits of this old man’s labour will not
get into the hands of some corrupt officials. This is simple, I will
like you to provide me immediately with your full names and address so
that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits,
which will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall employ the
services of two attorneys for drafting and notarization of the WILL and
obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your
favour for the transfer. A bank account in any part of the world, which
you will provide, will then facilitate the transfer of this money to
you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid into your
account for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you.There is
no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done
by the attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the
successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please
reply immediately via the private email address below. Upon your
response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents
that will help you understand. Please observe utmost confidentiality, and
rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of
us because I shall require your assistance to
invest my share in your country. Expecting your reply through:andersonhale1@yahoo.com.cn
Thanks and regards
Mr. Anderson Hale
Natwest Bank Plc.

 

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