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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: "Barrister Richard Thomas" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:29:13 -0700
Subject: Can We work Together??


Dear ,

I am Barrister Richard Thomas, working with a reputable legal firm – Rafina Solicitors in London, United Kingdom. I am contacting regarding my late client Engr. Ibrahim who died of heart attack he sustained as a result of the death of his wife and three kids, in an Indonesian Island Tsunami disaster on the 26 the December 2004, while they were on holidays there. He was a world wide oil contractor, personal friend and client of mine and I managed all his legal affairs.

As of today, I stand as a true custodian to the cash deposit which he made in a Security Company here in United Kingdom. I am faced with the task of getting someone with your matching profile that can be permitted to claim the fund. The amount deposited is $28.5 Million and the Security Company is ready to release the money to whoever I present as the true fund beneficiary and next-of-kin to my late client because my late client accorded me with a Letter of Authority (Power of Attorney) duly endorsed in the British High Court of Justice when he made the deposit, to act on his behalf in times of his absence and inability to act and I was his legal advising counselor on the deposit and other issues.

The Security Company where my client deposited the fund currently demands that I quickly provide a beneficiary for the fund because the deposit duration has expired and needs a renewal or withdrawal from their company otherwise it will be handed over to the British government. This is the reason that I decided to contact and to do this deal with you so that we can get the money out whether you are truly related to my late client or not.

If you feel we can sign out the funds together quickly send me the below information’s as soon as you receive this mail:
1. Your Full Names,
2. Your Contact Address.
3. Your Contact Telephone Number.
4. Your Age and Occupation.

I will write to you, to give you further details of the deal and send you some relevant transaction documents.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Best Regards,

Barrister Richard Thomas.

Anti-fraud resources: