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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: "Mr.Raymond A. Paulin" <mr.raymondpaulin@live.com>
Reply-To: mr.raymondpaulin@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 10:58:12 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Urgent Reply Is Needed..

My Dear Partner,

How are you doing? My name is Raymond Paulin, I am an attorney. A client
of mine have shares the same last name as yours, who here in after shall
be referred to as my client, died as the result of a heart problem in
2008.

His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his
family,I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left
behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by
the Finance company where he deposited huge amount of money. This Finance
company has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account
will be confiscated.

My dear I want to present you as the sole beneficiary of my named
client,since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this
account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually
agreed-upon Percentage.

All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will
be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see
this transaction through. This will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my
apology. Please due to fact that I am still in active service with my firm
I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost
indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your
decision, while I await your prompt response.

I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as
possible.

I await the pleasure of your response.

Regards,

Mr. Raymond Paulin.

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