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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: "ibrahimsalim_esq" <ibrahimsalim_esq@terra.com.mx>
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:53:33 -0600
Subject: This correspondence reffers your assistance


From:Ibrahim Salim,
Law & Associates
Solicitors and Advocates

Greetings To You,

I am Barrister Ibrahim Salim, a legal practitioner, I am the personal attorney to late Mr. Roberts, a citizen of your country who used to work with Chevron Nigeria Plc, here in Nigeria. On the 27th of January 2002, my client, his wife and their only child were involved in Ikeja bomb blast. My client and his family unfortunately lost there lives. Please view the below websites for more information:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm

Since then I have made several enquiries from your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name to locate any of his family members, 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 in Europe where these huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, late Mr. Roberts had an account valued U$14 Million American Dollars, after my written notification about his death, the Bank management has issued me a notice to provide his next of kin or have his account confiscated within the next ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating any of his relatives all this while, that's why I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased person, so that the proceeds of the amount valued at 14 Million United States Dollars can be paid to you as the bonafide approved Next of Kin by the Bank.

If you are interested, let me have your contact phone number to discuss the percentage you will have as compensation on your participation. I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction through. I hope the fund arrives your account in latest 10 banking days from the date of the receipt of the following informations from you:

Marrital status......................
Age .................................
Private phone number................
Fax number..........................
country............................
occupation .......................

The above informations will enable me apply for payment into any of
your norminated bank account.

I guarantee you 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 urgently for more information on how we hope to active this objective.

I will be expecting your urgent response to this matter.

Best regards,

Ibrahim Salim Esq

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