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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: "BARRISTER FRANK WILLIAMS" <barfrankw17@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: barfrankw@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 02:01:27 +0100
Subject: FROM BARRISTER FRANK WILLIAMS, PLEASE TREAT AS IMPORTANT AND URGENT


BARRISTER FRANK WILLIAMS.
SUPREME CHAMBERS.
34, NEW TOWN
ACCRA GHANA

Dear Sir/Madam,

This letter is not intended to cause any embarrassment in whatever form,
rather it is intended to contact your esteemed self, following the knowledge
of your high repute and trust worthiness. Firstly, I must solicit your
confidentiality. I know that a proposal of this magnitude will make anyone
apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that it is made in good
faith and will be of mutual benefit.

I am Barr.BARRISTER FRANK WILLIAMS, Esq, the personal attorney to MR. JOHN
COOPER, who is a citizen of your country herein after referred to as my
client, who used to work with OTUR OIL COMPANY here in GHANA. My client and
his family were involved in a plane crash that took place near the border
between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda.

Please clink the link below for more information about the plane crash
http://english.cri.cn/2947/2008/04/16/176@346479.htm

I have since made several inquiries to your Embassy, in a bid to locate any
relation of my client, and these efforts of mine have not been productive.
This is why I have contacted you to assist me in securing the money and
property left behind by my client before they are declared as unclaimed and
unserviceable by the bank where they have been lodged for safekeeping.

I am particularly interested in securing the funds lodged with a Finance
Firm,The sum of USD 18Million Dollars.This is because the said Bank has
issued a notice to me, unequivocally instructing me to produce the Next of
Kin / Beneficiary to the said account, or have the account confiscated.
Considering my lack of success in my bid to locate his relatives,I solicit
your consent to enable me produce you as the Next of Kin to my deceased
client.

The funds will then be transferred to you as the beneficiary and shared
according to a proposed sharing pattern /ratio of 60:40 i.e. 60% for me and
40% for you. I will provide the necessary, legally obtained documents to
back up any claim we make regarding this process, and will just require your
understanding/ cooperation to enable us achieve success within a legitimate
arrangement, laminating any liability resulting from any breach of the
prevalent laws.

Your urgent response will be highly appreciated. kindly respond immediately.
Reply me on my email: barfrankw@gamil.com

Thank you.

Best regards,
Barr. FRANK WILLIAMS.

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