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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: Liam Johnson <natjl319@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrjohnsonuk001@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 01:30:54 -0600
Subject: Exchange Director


Exchange Directorof the Natwest Bankbranch address at 5The Mall, London Dear:Sir/Madam, Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal Ethics. I introduce myself as Liam a staff in the accounts, management Section of a well-known bank here in the United Kingdom. One of our accounts with holding balance of £15,000,000 (Fifteen Million British Pounds) has been dormant and last operated in the past 3 years. From my investigations and confirmations, the owner of this account is a Foreigner by name Gerald Stone died on the 4th of January 2002 on a plane crash in Birmingham here in UK. Since then nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money as he has no family Member who is aware of the existence of either the account nor the Funds.Information from the National Immigration also states that he was single on entry into the UK. I have confidentiallyn discussed this issue with some of the bank officials and we have agreed to find a reliable foreign partner to deal with. We thus propose to do business with you, standing in as the next of kin of these funds from the deceased and funds released to you after due processes have been followed. This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is Legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other Illegal act. On your interest, let me hear from you . Regards,Liam.+44 704 571 2313
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See what you’re getting into…before you go there
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Anti-fraud resources: