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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: "Hanna Wills" <african_vogue@skypedonik.com>
Reply-To: <hanna_grindlaysf@consultant.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:13:46 +0800
Subject: We need your urgent response

Grindlaysf Finance Bank.
91 Station Road, West Drayton
Middlesex UB7 7LT
United Kingdom.
Special information
A customer of ours who may relate to you perhaps died three years ago in
Greek air crash near Athens after an apparent drop in cabin, leaving behind
an estate/capital of US$42.9M with interest in a bank here where I work,
till  date nobody has come forward or put application for the claim.
Please log on to this websites for more information about the air crash.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4150312.stm
our investigation of the said account reveals that the death occurred five
years ago the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with
certainty that the said investor died interstate and NO next of kin to his
estate has been found or has come forward all these years. We are convinced
that using our insider leverage, we working with you can secure the funds in
the account for us instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the
coffers of the Government of United Kingdom. This is especially possible as you bear
the same LAST NAME to the said investor/decease.
We urge you to come forward since we can provide you with the details
needed for you to claim the estate/capital so that we can be gratify by you,
in this way $12,870,000.00 for you and $25,740,000.00 for me and my
colleagues and the remaining $4.290,000.00 for miscellaneous expenses
incurred during the cost of this project though my colleagues and I will do
all the crucial part in the bank to have the claim release to you promptly.
To affirm your willingness and cooperation please do so by replying me at my
private email,  hanna_grindlaysf@consultant.com
stating your FULL NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, TELEPHONE NUMBER, and FAX NUMBER,
PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS AND POSTAL ADDRESS.
I do expect your prompt response.
Thank you,
Mrs. Hanna
Director of operations

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