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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: "Ms.kazuko masaru" <masarukazuko@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: masaru.kazuko@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:02:37 +0200
Subject: Hello Dear

Hello Dear ,
I am Ms.kazuko Masaru 23 yrs old, I am from Japan my father was into real-estate /lease
business in japan before My both Parents died in a car accident in 2004. I am contacting you in view of the fact that
we will be of great assistance to each other like wise developing a cordial
relationship. My self along with my Younger sister recently discovered some deposit documents by our late parents hiding millions of dollars
worth
of cash to evade tax, the amount is $27.8 million in inheritance taxes in
Japan.
We have found $27.8 million united
States Dollars hiden by our late parents in a reputable security company , which we intended to use for investment purpose overseas.
This
money is kept in a security finance somewhere in Japan name now
withheld pending your willingness to front on our behalf then i shall
disclose the information of the security finance company to you in Japan to enable you front and claim the money on our behalf and relocate me and my younger sister secretly out of Japan. It is only my
lawyer and my self that knows where the money is kept. Due to the current
situation
in the country concerning government attitude towards my family, it has
become
quite impossible for us to make use of this money within, thus, we seek your
assistance to transfer this money out of Japan.
My family is currently being probed by the government for evading inheritance
taxes. Towards this effect, an embargo restricting my family members on
financial
transaction have been placed on us and it is in force. My sister was arrested
and detained in connection to the above though she was released on probation.
No record ever existed concerning this money, neither is the money traceable
by the government because there is no documentation concerning the funds. Bearing in mind that your assistance is needed to transfer this fund,
we propose a commission of 11 % (Eleven Percent ) of the total sum to you for
the expected service and assistance. On your positive consent. I shall expect
you to contact me urgently to enable us discuss about this transaction.
Your urgent response is highly needed. I must use this opportunity to implore
you to exercise utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary
confidential,
while i await your prompt response,and ensure to let me know your full
name and telephone
number for further communication with my lawyer.

Best regards
Ms.Kazuko Masaru



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