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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: chris ford <justchris2001@msn.com>
Reply-To: <chrisford.1001@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:35:56 +0000
Subject: COMPLIMENT OF THE SEASON.








6 NORTH END ROAD,LONDON, NW11 7RQ,United Kingdom.In appreciation of your esteemed contact received through a reliable Source and the choice of your country. I wish to introduce myself. I am Mr. Chris Ford, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mrs. Sherry Ann Hoult, An American, who was a contractor and a business woman here in London.On the 20th day of October 2001, my client, her husband and their three children were involved in an auto crash in which all occupants of the vehicle died. My client {Sherry} deposited as family belongings in a bank here in London, the sum of £15 Million British Pound, with the hope of transferring it to her country as soon as she is on leave. Since her death I have made several attempts to locate any of my clients extended relatives, but this attempt so far has been unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where the deposit was made.Now the Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the money confiscated within the next fourteen official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now. I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased. All legal documents to aid your claim for this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be arranged for. Your help will be appreciated with 30% of the total sum.All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this letter if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you. However, if you do please include your phone and fax number in your response for better communication. God bless you and your family.Best Regards,Chris Ford.

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