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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: Karl Hermann <karlherm252@msn.com>
Reply-To: <courtyard_courtyard@excite.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:50:20 +0000
Subject: Greetings



Greetings, I am Mr. Karl Hermann, the personal attorney to late Mr. Marc Michelle, a French National. On 3rd January 2001, Mr. Marc Michelle and his wife with their three children were involved in an auto crash, all occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then, I have made several inquiries with his country's embassy to locate any of his extended relatives. This has also proved unsuccessful. I decided to personally contact you with this business partnership proposal to assist me in repatriating a huge amount of money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared non-serviceable by the finance house where this huge deposit was lodged. The deceased had a deposit valued presently at $18,000,000.00 (Eighteen Million United States Dollars) and the bank has issued me a notice to provide his next of kin or beneficiary by will otherwise have the account confiscated. Having been unsuccessful in communicating any of my late client relatives for over two (2) years now, I am now seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin/beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at $18 Million US Dollars can be paid to you.Already, I have worked out modalities for achieving my aim of appointing a next of kin as well as transfer the money abroad for us to share in the ratio of 45% for me and 45% to you and we shall collectively donate 10% to the needy and helpless. Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and appreciated. Best wishes,Karl Hermann

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