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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: mark jim <barr_markjim@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mark jim <barr_markjim@myway.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 08:15:08 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE IS HIGHLY REQUIRED.

BARRISTER MARK JIM
40 King Street Manchester M2 6BA.
UNITED KINGDOM.
Personal E-mail: barr_markjim@myway.com <mailto:barr_markjim@myway.com>
Dear Good Friend,

Firstly, this is not to cause you embarrassment, I am Barrister MARK JIM, I was the Personal Attorney and legal adviser to late Mr. Mark (untill his death) a National of your country, who used to be a private contractor with the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Saudi Arabia.On the 4th of April 2005, he and his wife with their three children were involved in an auto crash, all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then, I have made several enquiries with his country embassies to locate any of his extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you with this proposal.

I am contacting you to assist in repatriating this huge amount of money left behind by my client before the Bank get it confiscated or declared unserviceable by the BANK/INSTITUTION where these huge deposit is lodged.

The deceased had a deposit presently valued USD$30 million which I am aware of and the BANK has issued to me,As his persoanl attorney a notice to provide his next of kin or Beneficiary by WILL otherwise have the account confiscated within the next thirty official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over one years, I therefore seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / WILL Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD$30 million can be paid to you.
Don't worry how this is going to be done.But If you give me your williness to do this with me,Then i will now present you to the bank as the next of Kin to my late client and then,the proceedings for the transfer will commence.
This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 55% for me 30% to you,10% for charity organizations while the balance 5% will be set aside for any expences.

All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see this transaction through.I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.(100% risk free)

I am presently in London and I ask for your cooperation to provide me the following information:
1. Your full name/Age
2. Your telephone/mobile and fax numbers
3. Your physical Address.
4. Your core of Work.
Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated.
Thanks and have a nice day,As i await your immediate response.
Best Regards,
BARRISTER MARK JIM

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