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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: "melford howard" <melford.howard51@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: melford_hwd@myway.com
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:46:57 +0200
Subject: From:Melford Howard.

Good Day,

Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal
ethics. I am Melford Howard,from United Kingdom, the Personal Account
Officer to Late Dr Surge S. Clinsman. I contacted you to kindly assist me in
this proposal below, which will be of mutual benefit to both of us.
Dr Surge S. Clinsman died in July 19, 2003 on Auto Crash with his family and
he has a depposited with well known financial institution here in UK and
since his death, nobody has come for the claiming of this money due to he
has no family members who are aware of this existing funds apart from me as
his Personal Accountant.I have the deposit certificate with me to show you
for proof because the fund was deposited in the institution vault in
CASH.The total amount he deposited in the vault is £22,000,000.00 (Twenty
Two Million British Pounds) which he meant for investment here in UK into
Real Estate before he meets his death.Being the account officer who is with
him when the deposit was made with the institution and the certificate is
with me,the company have ask me to trace the family relatives of the
deceased so that the funds will be released to them. I made several efforts
through the US High Commission to contact any of the deceased family or
relatives, but all my efforts,proved abortive.

This is why I have decided to contact you as a Foreigner to front you as the
next of kin by assisting in repatriating this money so that it will not be
confiscated and fortified for nothing by the government rather we can use it
to assist the less privelages in our society .The company has issued me a
notice to provide the Next of Kin within the next ''14 official working
days'' or the fund will be confiscated.And i cannot claim this Money due to
the transperent nature of my job.This business is simple and 100% risk-free
because every legal documents related to this deposited money,is with me.
All I require is your honesty and co-operation to enable us see this deal
through with one mind. I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangements, from your response. Moreso,i wouldn't like an
involvement of any third party for confidentiality and security reason.
Thank's and remain blessed,while i waite for your urgent reply mail for us
to move forward and finalize this God-Sent opportunity in a timely manner.

Melford Howard.

_________________________________________________________________
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