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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: Wilfred Leng <lengwilfred19@yahoo.com.my>
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:44:50 +0800 (CST)
Subject: ATTENTION NEEDED URGENTLY


Dear Firstname Lastname,

I have an obscure business interest to share with you. It is understandable if you have apprehension receiving this letter hence there was no previous correspondence between us on the herein mentioned matter. However, I crave your indulgence to note same with great attention. I am Barrister Wilfred Ling Leng practicing with LL & Co Chambers here in Malaysia.

Late Mr. Lastname, who hereafter shall be referred to as my client, died as the result of a heart-related condition exactly one year after the death of members of his family (Wife and two daughters) in the Gulf Air Flight Crash in Persian Gulf on the 23rd of August 2000.

For your confirmation kindly visit the following link;
<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0008/23/bn.08.html> http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0008/23/bn.08.html

My deceased client had some fixed deposit valued US$ 6, 646, 743 as per the Bank Statement of Account. Upon maturity legal responsibilities, I have been mandated by the Bank to provide the Next of Kin/beneficiary to the Estate as failure will apply escheatment to the Malaysian Government. This underscores my reason of contacting you. I am of the settled conviction that using my position, working with you, since you have the same last name and country of origin with the deceased client, we can secure these funds for our use instead of allowing it being confiscated by the Government.

I have seized all relevant information (legal and Banking) that will facilitate putting you forward as the beneficiary, and ultimately, transfer the Estate to you. Be assured that I am on top of the situation all the time and there will be no risk involved.

Needless to say, CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. I have intentionally left out the finer details for now until I hear from you.

Thanking you

Wilfred Ling Leng (Esq)

Anti-fraud resources: