joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Mark Onyeze <mmppp3@verizon.net>
Reply-To: onyezem@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 23:09:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Claim as next of kin





Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of USD$11,000,000.00 (Eleven Million United states Dollars) in the codicil and last testament of the deceased (Name now withheld since this is my second letter to you). I contacted you because you bear the same surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance therein.

I therefore reckoned that you could receive this fund as you are qualified by your name and all the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance.

In your acceptance of this deal, I request that you kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance; your full name and occupation, current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable me file all the necessary documents at our high court probate division, for the release of this sum of money. Please get back to me ASAP so as to get this done immediately: PLEASE KINDLY REPLY ME THROUGH MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS: mark_onyeze@yahoo.com.hk
  
  
Yours faithfully,

Barrister Mark Onyeze

Anti-fraud resources: