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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: "Jacobus" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <willem.jacobus1@ymail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:30:17 -0700
Subject:

181 Hampstead Road,
London NW1 7AW
United Kingdom.

Hello,
I hope I meet you in good faith? I just have to introduce myself to you, Am Willem Jacobus
I worked for my Late boss( Sir John M. Templeton ) for twenty Years before he died on July
8, 2008 of pneumonia at the age of 95, He was an Investor and also a philanthropist. He
poured hundreds of millions of dollars into efforts to reconcile science and religion;
He has so many estates around the world as well as companies. For you to know more about
my Late Boss kindly view the URL below:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=john-templeton-philanthro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Templeton
http://www.independent.org/students/essay/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/business/09templeton-cnd.html
http://www.counterbalance.net/bio/johnt-body.html

My Late Boss Left the sum of $150,000,000.00 Million Dollars (One Hundred and Fifty
Million United States dollars) before his demise, he proposed to use the money in funding
home's for the less privilege and some other projects unmentioned. The institution where
the fund is deposited asked me to provide a next of kin to the said account which some
persons at the Institution is aware about and would want to help if only I can provide a
next of kin to the said account. In order not to loose this funds to the Bank or Government
I decided to search for a reliable and trust worthy person that can help me receive this money
in an account that was why I picked you.

I know deep down the heart of my Late Boss he would want his wishes to be fulfilled and I know
that with your help everything will be done well, I just need your trust; I hope you are well
reliable. Since these fund is lodged in a suspense account we have to follow all normal legal
process to ensure the safe and quick release of the fund, The circumstances surrounding the
death of the depositor with no known nominated successor, I have decided to make you as the
next of kin if only you corporate and adhere to give instructions. Investigation has been
going on for months as who is the successor and I have taken the chance to make you the
next of kin to the said account. I have a legal and totally risk free means through which
the funds can be released to you or your nominated Bank account within a very short time
after due documentation and authentication process. Bear in mind that this is far away
from fraudulent act, just believe me and I will prove to you that this is 100% legit.

In my next mail to you I will discuss with you the sharing ratio.
I will use my position as his Personal Assistant (PA) and also the help of his Banker
to present you as a next of Kin and beneficiary of the time deposit. I expect your
response and if in the affirmative, Contact me on my Email:willem.jacobus1@ymail.com
I shall advice you on what we need to do on receipt of a positive response from you.
Willem Jacobus.


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