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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: "Pass, Jean" <Jean.Pass@kingcounty.gov>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:53:55 -0700
Subject: I seek Your assistance in funds transfer(smith_davies025@yahoo.com.hk)


I am Barrister Smith Davies, legal adviser and solicitor. This is a 100% confidential deal, it is about my deceased client Mr. Richard Rogers an English man who worked and established in Nigeria.Mr. Richard Rogers was involved in an auto crash, which lead to his death in DECEMBER 2008. Before his sudden demise, Richard Rogers deposited the sum of SIX MILLION UNITED STATES DALLARS (6,000,000.00 USD) in a current account with a reputable bank here in the city of Abuja Nigeria (Zenith Bank PLC). The family members are not aware of the funds lodged in this particular bank because Richard became very secretive as a result of his childlessness. As his personal attorney and legal adviser I am the only person aware of these said funds.

I am ready to edit the WILL of my late client Mr. Richard Rogers in your favor making you his NEXT OF KIN. All I need from you is your outmost confidentiality and trust. I am ready to prepare all legal documents that will enable the bank release the funds to you as soon as possible (Wired into your nominated bank account).Please you have to be honest with this deal because the reason I am bringing you into the deal is because all my attempt trying to get these funds in Nigeria couldn't work out because of the popularity of the deceased client. All I need is get somebody far from Nigeria who I am going to make Richard's NEXT OF KIN that is the reason of me contacting you.

As soon as we are done with the transfer which is going to be in a couple of days, you get 40% while I get 60%.
You don't have to be scared because every thing we are going to do is legal. I assure you that you are not going to get into any problems as a result of this because all confirmable documents to back up this fund shall be made available to you.it is therefore pertinent that you send to my desk the folloing information:

Full Names
Age
Occupation
Nationality
Telephone number.

Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this email if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you.
For more details and clarifications get back to me on:
Name: Smith Davies
Email: smith_davies025@yahoo.com.hk

Best Regards,
Smith


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