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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: "MR.BRIAN CASEY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <danowen@buzonabc.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 2009 14:41:33 -0700
Subject: PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Hello,
 
I am Brian Casey an external auditor . In the course of
our yearly routine audit of investment Portfolio, I discovered that a
personal account has been dormant for over seven years with a huge balance.
The account belongs to a single beneficiary who happen to be my client .
 
Further investigations of the said account reveal that the late investor
last operated the account in 2004, about the time of his death. He died
without a will and also with no next of kin, so there was no beneficiary/nobody
coming forward all these years to lay claim to the investment account.
 
The personal investment account in this instance has been dormant for about
5 Years, thus making it a dormant account. I wish to inform you that using our
Inside leverage, we (I am working on this with an attorney at this time),
Together with yourself can secure the funds in this account for us instead
ofallowing it sent to the Treasury of the Government . All we
need is your approval and the lawyer will file for an application for
proceeds on your behalf. All necessary legal documents required will be provided.
 
You shall be adequately compensated for your part in this transaction . I
shall however leave out the other details of this transaction till I receive an
affirmation of your desire to participate.
 
I can assure you that we are completely in charge of the transaction and as
such there is no risk  whatsoever if you decide to work with us.
It is however important to say that secrecy is of vital importance if we are
to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.
 
If you wish to proceed with me you must send me the following:
 
Your full name and Address
Occupation and Occupation
contact number
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
With warmest personal regards and best wishes,
 
Mr Brian Casey

Anti-fraud resources: