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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: "Barrister Miguel Matlock" <gbk@alternatifim.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:58:09 +0200
Subject: Re: Further instruction !!!!


Good Day,
 
I am Barrister Miguel Matlock, a solicitor and personal attorney to Late Mr. Andre, a national of your country, hereby referred to as my client. On 27th of January 2005, my client died in a terrible Hot air balloon accident that also took lives of two other innocent souls.
 
Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my client's extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. I am writing you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get liquidated or declared Unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged, particularly the Costal International, Nigeria Africa where the deceased USD$30 million dollar is deposited. The bank has issued me a notice as the deceased lawyer to provide the next of kin or have the account liquidated within the next twenty one official working days.
 
My proposal is that I will like you to stand as the next of kin to thedeceased. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years now, I seek your prompt consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD$30, Million can be paid to you and then we can share the money on the ratio we will discuss if you accept to assist me in this project.
 
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I look forward to receiving your phone number and address so that I will give you further instruction.
 
Sincerely Yours,
Miguel Matlock.
 
Please send to me your direct contact telephone numbers and address Via E-mail: gbk40@live.com as I will like to talk with you one on one

Anti-fraud resources: