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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: "BROWN HAMILTON"<jscally@optusnet.com.au>
Reply-To: <browhaamms@aol.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:58:05 -0000
Subject: Urgent Reply Needed

Hello,

My name is Brown Hamilton Esq. I am the Solicitor to one of my late client, who died in London UK. I have a business proposition for you.
Before the death of my late client, she lodged huge amount of money in a security vault/company here amounting to Four million dollars. And she left behind strict instructions on secrecy and top confidentiality of her funds in the security company. And the only person aware of the funds is me, being her Lawyer.
Unfortunately, She had no next of kin as she had no children and she didn’t appoint any inheritance/beneficiary. It is on this note, that you come in, I would like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin whom I will appoint and notify the security company that you are the actual next of kin appointed by my late client. Please, have nothing to worry about, as I will commence processing all legal documentations certifying you as the Sole-Beneficiary to my late client, Be rest assured that all documents will be processed according to the law.
If you agree to do this with me, we shall both share the total amount of Four million dollars 40/60 %, which means ( One million Six hundred thousand dollars)for you, while (Two million Four hundred thousand dollars) would be mine. If you oblige then kindly send me your full name, Age, address, telephone and country, in order for me to prepare the necessary documents for the funds to be released to you.
Kindly note that this transaction requires maximum secrecy. Please respond to me through ( browhaamms@aol.co.uk ). I await your response.
Regards
Brown Hamilton

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