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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: "SETH EDWARD" <sethedward1@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 18:16:01 +0200
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED / FAMILY MATTER,


*URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED / FAMILY MATTER,*
**
*FROM BARRISTER SETH EDWARD.
OF SILVER CHAMBERS LOME TOGO
LOME-TOGO WEST AFRICA.
NO, 4 ALBERT NTBANKME LOME-TOGO.
Tellphone: +228-0964846.*
**
*ATTENTION: FAMILY MATTER,*
**
*Before I start, I must first apologize for this unsolicited mail to you. I
am aware this is certainly an unconventional approach to start a
relationship. I am contacting you for the claim of your late uncle's fund
that was deposited with the Union Togolaise Bank. I must solicit your
confidence in this claim,this is by virtue of it's nature as being utterly
confidential and top Secret.*
**
*Though I know that contact of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive
and worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well since I know
everything about your late uncle's fund. I have decided to contact you due
to the urgency ofthis mattr. Let me start by introducing myself properly to
you.*
**
*I am Barrister Seth Edward. the attorney to your late uncle, An oil
Merchant with Federal Government of Togo,until his death some years ago in a
motor accident which happened on 21st October, 2004. All occupants of the
accident unfortunately lost there lives,he Banked with Union Bank Plc,
Lome-Togo and had a closing balance as at the end of September, 2004 worth
US$28,000,000.00 (Twenty eight Million United States Dollars).The bank now
expects the Next of Kin to come forward as Beneficiary. Efforts has been
made by the Union togolaise Bank of Lome Togo, to get in touch with any of
the deceased family relatives, but they have met with no success.As the
deceased being a foreigner, that was why I decided to contact you so that
you can put claim on this fund.*
**
*Now the management under the influence of the bank Chairman and Members of
the Board of directors,that arrangement has been made for the fund to be
declared Unclaimed In order to avert this negative development, it is my
duty to contact you since your name was listed as the next of kin to his
properties.*
**
*All documents and proof to enable you get this fund will be carefully
worked out by me for this claim.I have secured from the probate an order of
Mandamus to locate any of the deceased beneficiaries, and more I am assuring
you that this claim is 100% risk free.Now it is left for you deceide on what
you will give as my percentage for assisting you in this claim.I hope to
hear from you soon.*
**
*Yours Sincerely.
Barrister Seth Edward, Esq.
Tellphone: +228-0964846.*

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