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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Majlis Daerah Marang" <mdmarang@terengganu.gov.my>
Reply-To: merriam45@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:30:43 +0800
Subject: Attn:(From Mrs. Kiram T. Merriam)

MRS KIRAM TANGLAO MERRIAM
CREDIT ACCOUNTS OFFICER
HEAD OFFICE BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK
12 ADB AVENUE, ORTIGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY
PHILIPPINES
Good Day,

Let me start by introducing myself, I am MRS KIRAM T MERRIAM, CREDIT
ACCOUNTS OFFICER BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK I am writing you this
letter based on the latest development at my bank, which I will like
to bring to your personal edification I am writing you this letter
with so much joy and excitement even though my heart goes out to the
very powerful and distinguished gentleman who I was fortunate to have
worked for and extremely privileged to have known for numerous years
I am a top official in charge of client accounts in BANCO DE ORO
UNIVERSAL BANK inside the Philippines

In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the
United States of America and was on the verge of losing most of his
estate to his vicious and diabolical wife As a result of this
alarming predicament, my client came to me with a very brilliant idea
He transferred some funds, ten million two hundred thousand dollars
($10.2m) to a fixed deposit account in my bank under an alias which
only the two of us knew about as the confidentiality of the matter was
necessary for his protection

Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting
in the account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually
unless we do something about it This is where you come in I located
you through an agency that helps seek people by their email My client
did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the
paper work of his bank deposit Against this backdrop, my suggestion
to you is that I would like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of
kin to our client so that you will be able to receive his funds I
want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we can
come out successful I have contacted an attorney that will prepare
the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to my
client All that is required from you at this stage is for you to
provide me with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can
commence his job

After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file
in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and
letter of probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an
account that will be provided by you There is no risk involved at all
in the matter as we are going adopt a legalized method and the
attorney will prepare all the necessary documents The allocation of
our money will be as follows: 20%($2.4m) to you for your part in
this, 75% for me and my partners and 5% for any unforeseeable expenses
we may incur

As you can see this is easier than taking candy from a baby, but mind
you, trust is something that is developed over time and that is
something that we do not have So I have to let you know that it will
highly unfeasible to try to run away with the money because even
though only you can transfer money in and out of your account, the
transfer can only be authorized by my department of which i happen to
be the head The money will be transferred from my bank to an account
you will provide So please, there should be no room for greed because
ten million two hundred thousand dollars can quench even the most
insatiable desire for the almighty dollar

Your urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me through
this email; (merriam45@gmail.com) on this transaction as soon as
possible This should be kept very secret and confidential I believe
you know

Kind Regards,
Mrs Kiram T Merriam

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