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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: "From Yahoo Windows Live Center" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <verification_desk@discuz.org>
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:06:53 +0800
Subject: !!!!!!!(From Yahoo Windows Live Award Department)!!!!!!!!

 
Zaid Ibrahim & Co. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
12th Floor, Menara Bank Pembangunam
Jalan Sultan Ismail
 
Attention:
Your e-mail address came up in a random draw conducted by our law firm,Zaid Ibrahim & Co. Chambers in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. My name is Zaid Ibrahim (esq). A personal attorney to our late client Engr.Harun J. Kuala  who worked for an oil firm in Malaysia, Engr.Harun J. Kuala  is a well known Philanthropist, before his death 2nd of June 2002, he made a Will in our law firm stating that $8.5million (Eight Million Five hundred Thousand U.S. dollars) should be donated to any Philanthropist or orphanage home of our choice overseas.
 
We have made a random draw and your name and e-mail address was picked as the beneficiary to this Will. I am particularly interested in securing this money from the Bank, because they have issued a notice instructing us to produce the beneficiary of this Will within 15 working days which happens to be you or else the money will be credited to the Government treasury as per law here.
 
It is my utmost desire to execute the Will of our late client. You are required to get in contact with me immediately to start the process of transferring this money to any of your designated official account. I urge you to contact me immediately for further details bearing in mind that the Bank has given us a date limit. Please contact me urgently with this email: zaid_Ibrahim_willchambers@w.cn
 
CONGRATULATIONS
 
Regards
 
Barrister: Zaid Ibrahim [Esq].
 
ENDEAVOUR TO USE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEDGED.
 

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