joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: smith johnson <smithjohnson_088@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <smith_johnson53@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:55:58 +0000
Subject: Re: Can you help!


12th November, 2007. Mr. Smith JohnsonHead, Smith Consulting (Auditors)Jersey, Channel Islands. Sir, For Your Immediate Consideration: My name is Smith Johnson. I trained and work as an external auditor for the EFG Private Bank Limited, Jersey, Channel Islands, working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Channel Islands. I have taken pains to find your contact through a colleague that is connected with the British Chamber of Commerce. On routine audit check last year, I discovered some investment accounts that had been dormant for at least 9 years. All the accounts belong to a single/ one account holder with monies totalling a little above 3.6 million United States Dollars. Now banking regulation/legislation here demand that I do notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time span of 8 years when dormant accounts of this type are called in by the Jersey monetary regulatory bodies. The above set of facts underscores my reason for writing and proposing to you. My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor, a Briton had died in 1998—the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that the said investor died interstate and no next –of –kin to his estate has been found or has come forward all these years. I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, I, working with you can secure the funds in the account for ourselves instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of Channel Islands . This is especially possible as you bear the same LAST NAME with the said investor. This exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation . I have in my custody all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate yourclaims as the beneficiary of the funds. If this offer is okay by you, we can put minds together and workout the modalities and our mutual benefits. I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate . Be rest assured that I am in control of the situation and as such, there would be no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. I do expect your prompt response. Truly, Smith Johnson
_________________________________________________________________
Get free emoticon packs and customisation from Windows Live.
http://www.pimpmylive.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources: