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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: Denise Konan <ddkonan_esq@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 17:14:50 +0000
Subject: DEAR Hans van den Berg URGENT ASSISTANCE NEEDED.



In the Matter of the Estate of DIDRIKA CHILVERS, Deceased. MS. DENISE DORIS KONAN, as Personal Representative of the Estate of DIDRIKA CHILVERS, Deceased. A philanthropist and businesswoman Didrika CHILVERS died of heart attack in Banjul, the Gambia on 23 November, 2004. She was aged 61 years. WIlliam, her husband of 33 years suffered a stroke and in 1998 and died soon after their only child died of auto accident. He was a very wealthy Broker and Didrika inherited his estate consisted of over $15,250,000 in total value. The family arrived the Gambia in early 1980s. I am the Trust Attorney and have been Personal Representative in interest of the Deceased.
At least 2 years have elapsed since her death and no surviving relative has shown up to claim her personal property. The current balance of $9,250,000.00 expensive jeweleries in a Safe Deposit Box at a Bank here in the Gambia constitute a portion of the property Left behind in the decedent's estate. No proceeding is now being or has been conducted in the Gambia for administration of her account. Didrika died intestate and under Section 6402 of the Gambia Probate Code, I am her Personal Representative and must, identify, consent in writing to any payment, transfer, or delivery of any portion of her properties to any heir at law, successor or next of kin as defined in Section 13006 of the Gambia Probate Code. No other person has a superior right to the decedent's interest in the described property. However, under Sections 13100-13115 of the Probate Code, the bank is mandated to deposit the property with the State Treasurer as unclaimed personal property if after two (2) years of the death, the decedent estate remains unclaimed. Based on this I am left with no option than to make an arrangement to save the deposit from escheat. I plead for your understanding so that the deposit be delivered and transferred to you as a Survivor-Nominee for the estate. To help, I would need your complete name, address, telephone and fax number to enable me file an application for release of the Safe Box. We would share the Cash Deposit equitably among us.Thank you as you consider this request. Ms. Denise Doris KonanAssociate Partner Equitichambers Emails: ddkonan_esq@hotmail.com ddkonan_esq@excite.com denise.konan1@yahoo.fr
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