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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: Barr. mike azike <mike.azike@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:24:39 +0300
Subject: I CRAVE FOR YOUR IMMENSE ASSISTANCE.

Attn:Sir, I am Barr. mike azike, an attorney to Andreas Schranner,a deceased Immigrant,property magnate who was based in Nigeria,Also referred to as my client.On the 31st of July 2000, my client, his wife and their two Children died in the Air France concord plane crash bound for New York in their plan for a world cruise. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm. Since then I have been managing his properties and some of his properties, which he put out for sale. Which I monitored the payment as his attorney, has been bought and paid for. Now the money paid was deposited into his account here. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by his bank. Particularly, the bank has issued me a notice to provide any of his next of kin or have the account confiscated within a short time. My late client has an account valued at 19.5 million dollars. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for some time now, and with the bank giving me deadline, I now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at 19.5million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money at the ratio of 50% to me and 40% for you and 10% for miscellaneous expenses that might arise.I have all necessary information that can be used to back up any Claim we may make. All I require is your honesty, co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach o fthe law. Trust me, as his attorney,this is a risk-free business relationship. Please reach me on my confidential email and send me your full names and address,telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction. Best regards, Barr. mike azike &Co

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