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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: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:50:51 -0500
Subject: Our Project!!!

Our Project!!!
I am Barrister Wilsen Harries, a solicitor at law. I was the personal attorney to Eng, John McPherson,a citizen of your country who used to work with an oil servicing company here in Netherlands after which be referred to as my client. Eng, John McPherson 62 years of age made a fixed deposit of fund valued  at USD$14,500,000 (Fourteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) with a Security Company/Finance institution here in Netherlands and unfortunately lost his life in an Egyptian charter plane Boeing 737 .which crashed into the Red Sea early on January 4 shortly after taking off from the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all the 135 passengers and 13 crew members aboard, Ref: (View: http://english.people.com.cn/200401/04/eng20040104_131791.shtml ). He left no clear beneficiary as Next of Kin except some vital documents related to the deposit still in my possession.
 
Recently, the governing body of the Security Company/Finance institution contacted me on this matter, requesting that I should notify the next of kin of my late client to claim the funds and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. I know that my client had no living next of kin but i have made lots of search to see if i can get in contact to any of his relatives but my search was fruitless to locate any of my late clients
extended relatives.A clear and legitimate agreement with you, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin so that my late client's fund will not be confiscated by the Financial Regulatory Authority.You and I will share the money, you will be entitled to 50% of the total fund for your role as the relative and next of kin of my late client, 40% for me while 10% is to be marked out for any expenses that will be incurred during the clearance or process of transfer of the fund to your bank account. Be informed that there is no risk involved as all necessary legal document which will be used to back you up as the legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client will be procured.
 
All I require is your sincerity, honesty, co-operation and utmost good faiths 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. Kindly, get in touch with me by my e-mail (harieswilsnl101@yahoo.cn) or telephone(+ 31 6191 35058) to enable us discuss further. You may also send your telephone number so that I can call you. Do not  forget that a transaction of this magnitude require utmost confidentiality and sincerity. Please reply me only via my private Email:harieswilsnl101@yahoo.cn
I look forward to your urgent response.
 
Thank you,
Attorney Wilsen Harries
Tel:+31 6191 35058
Fax:31 84 717 0656

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