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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: Mr.James Smith <jms_smiths@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:28:57 -0400
Subject: PLEASE RESPOND BACK TO THIS EMAIL ASAP!!!




Dear Friend,

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN


I am Mr. James Smith, Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to Engr.Thomas Brown, a National of United States of America, who used to work with Shell/Oil Development Company in London as the Chief Engineer. On the 2nd of May 1999, my client, his wife And their three children were involved in a car accident along Cardiff Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then I have made several enquiries to their embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of his family but to no avail hence I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money that belong to my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit was lodged.

Particularly, the Bank where the late decease had an account valued at Five million United States dollars has issued me a notice today to provide the Next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years now I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at Five million united states dollars only can be paid to your account For your assistance, you shall be compensated with 30% of the fund while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.

I will appreciate that you forward the following information so that we can proceed immediately with the deal.
1. Your full name and address
2. Your telephone and fax numbers

all I require is your honest cooperation to enable us have this transaction accomplished. I have all the documents (DEATH CERTIFICATE AND DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE) that guarantee this transaction is executed under a legitimate arrangement. This will protect everyone involved from breach of the law’s will also send you text of claim application to fill out. You shall be expect to fill it out and forwarded to the bank, requesting for the immediate remittance of the fund into your nominated account.
It is worthy to note that due to the nature of this transaction absolute confidentiality is required when the fund has been remitted into your nominated account. I must assure you, once again, this transaction is safe and free from any encumbrance because adequate arrangement have been
put in place for its success. All is required of you is absolute sincerity. Please contact me on my private email james_smith@fsmail.net

Best regards,
Mr.James Smith
Email:jms_smiths@yahoo.co.uk


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