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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: SIMON <simonadamp@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: simonadamp@aim.com
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:29:15 +0200
Subject: RE,,SAFE KEEPING!!!!!!!!!


DEAR SIR,

I AM BARRISTER SIMON ADAM, 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 $11.5 MILLION US DOLLARS AND SO MANY OTHERINVESTMENTS WITH MY SIGNATURES ABROAD.
http://www.socialistnigeria.org/paper/2005/may/4.html

VERY SOON MY CLIENT'S FAMILY WILL CALL ME TO ACCOUNT FOR MY CLIENT'SPROPERTIES AND FUNDS DEPOSITED IN OFFSHORES.

AT THIS JUNCTURE, I SEEK YOUR CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFACTOR TO MYLATE CLIENT'S $11.5MILLION U S DOLLARS DEPOSITED IN EUROPE WHICH I WILL DISCLOSE TO YOU, SINCE 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 70/30%. ALSO SEND ME A NUMBER WHERE I CAN CALLYOU.PLEASE REPLY THROUGH MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS,,simonadamp@aim.com
I BELIEVE MY LETTER RECEIVED A FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION AS I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE ASAP.

REGARDS,

BARRISTER SIMON ADAM.


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