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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: MR WILLIAMS PARKER <williams_parker@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: williams_parker033@live.com
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:33:53 +0300
Subject: BUSINESS TRANSACTION FROM WILLIAMS PARKER


Good Day,
Let me start by introducing myself, I am MR. WILLIAMS PARKER OF LIOYDS
TSB BANK
Here in London. I am writing you this letter based on the latest
development at
my bank, which I will like to bring to your personal edification. I am writing
you this letter with so much joy and excitement even though my heart
goes out to
the very powerful and distinguished gentleman who I was Fortunate to
have worked
for and extremely privileged to have known for numerous years. I am a top
official in charge of client accounts in LIOYDS TSB BANK here in
United Kingdom.

In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United States
of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his
vicious and
diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament, my client
came to me
with a Very brilliant idea. He transferred some funds, Twenty million Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($20.5m) to a fixed deposit
account in my
bank under an alias which only the two of us knew about as the confidentiality
of the matter was necessary for his protection.

Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in the
account ever since and will continue to do so unless we do something about it.
This is where you come in. I located you through an agency that helps seek
people by their email. My client did not declare any next of kin in
his official
papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. Against this backdrop, my
suggestion to you is that I would like you as a foreigner to stand as the next
of in to our client so that you will be able to receive his funds.

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we can come
out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary
document that will back you up as the next of kin to my client. All that is
required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names
and Address so that he attorney can commence his job.

After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file in for
claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in
your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you.
There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going adopt a
legalized
method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents. The
allocation
of our money will be as follows: 30%( $6.15m) to you for your part in
this, 65%
for me and my partners and 5%for any unforeseeable expenses we may incur and I
think this is extremely fair, as you have nothing to lose but just a little
time, while on the other hand I am staking my flawless reputation among other
things. And besides $6.15 million is not a pocket change.

Once you are approved, the entire transaction should take no longer
than twelve
business days after which we will go about our daily business, but
just millions
of dollars richer. As you can see this is easier than taking candy
from a baby,
but mind you, trust is something that is developed over time and that is
something that we do not have.

So I have to let you know that it will highly unfeasible to try to run
away with
the money Because even though only you can transfer money in and out of your
account, the Transfer can only be authorized by my department of which
I happen
to be the head. The money will be transferred from my bank to an account you
will provide. So please, there should be no room for greed because Twenty
million five hundred thousand dollars can quench even the most
insatiable desire
for the almighty dollar.

Again, I will be in charge Of everything else. I will assume all
responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to worry about any legal
ramifications, just what you will do with all that money. Your Urgent response
is highly anticipated so please email me through this email Address
(williams_parker033@live.com) for more details on this transaction as Soon as
possible.

This should be kept very secret and confidential.

I believe you know.

Kind Regards,
Williams Parker





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