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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: "Larry Smith" <reply1@mail.com>
Reply-To: <williamibru1946@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2009 00:08:29 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS

Hello,

Regarding my business proposal to you.


I am Larry Smith, personal attorney to Mr. Hong Yuan, an expatriate who used to work with SHELL COMPANY, Here in NIGERIA. I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at the bank, which I will like to bring to your personal edification. 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, Ten million dollars ($10m) 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 perpetually unless we do something about it. This is where you come in.


Please, be informed that what matters is your interest and co-operation to assist me claim this fund. I have waited so long to get a next of kin to my late client but I have been unable to do so and unfortunately, the only family I knew him with were involved in the tsunami disaster. I want to believe that you have agreed to assist me get the funds.


I am asking you for your consent to present you to the bank so you can be recognized as the beneficiary to the funds and release the fund to you. I want you to know that I am not just giving this money to you, I expect that in the cause of getting the money released from the bank, we will be as transparent as possible with each other, I have to get your word of trust, assistance and all will be okay. I will have all the necessary documentation to back up the claim so you have nothing to be afraid.


Please, I will require your honesty and co-operation to execute this transaction within a very short period of time. I will be more comfortable if you could send me the following information for the processing of the claim:


1. Your full name and contact address
2. Your Direct Telephone and Fax Numbers
3. Your Age and Occupation


If there is any more questions you want to ask me concerning this transaction, please feel free as I will be more than willing to answer any question and share information with you. Like I have explained what would happen to the money once I fail to provide a next of kin, the entire US$10,000,000.00 (Ten Million United States Dollars Only) would be paid into the bank's treasury and the funds would be lost.


My client was a very good person and his money would be good to go into helping others instead of leaving it to the bank to take away this is the reason I have contacted you. I am not imposing this on you but I am seeking your assistance in realizing the funds from the account as his Attorney, I have good knowledge on how to go about the whole situation just give me your trust.


I wait to hear from you as soon as possible in order to conclude this transaction within Seven (7) banking days. You stand no risk here, that I assure you.


Best regards,
Larry Smith.

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