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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: "ELAINE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <elaineklptrck03@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 06:56:09 -0800
Subject: INVESTING IN PRIVATE BUSINESS IN YOUR COUNTRY

Dear  Friend,
First, let me introduce my self to you; I am Ms. Elaine Kilpatrick from United Kingdom. I am interested in investing in private business in your country, but I need your Co-operation to secure the opportunity to invest as a citizen of the country.  before we will proceed, I would like you to know more about me and my occupation and the reason I wanted to invest in your country.  I am a Financial Manager in a security company here in London and I have interest of resigning and focus on business in your country if you are ready to help. Below are detail and the source of the fund.
During the U.S and Iraqi war our client Mr. Lewis Bishop who was with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Fifteen million United State Dollars only in my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even during the war early the year. Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later find out that Mr. Lewis Bishop and his family had been killed during the war in bomb blast that hit their home.
After further investigation it was also discovered that Mr. Lewis Bishop did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the Paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my Bank. So, fifteen million United State Dollar is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country at the expiration 6 years the funds will revert to the ownership of our Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.
Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Mr. Lewis Bishop so that you will be able to receive his funds.
WHAT IS TO BE DONE ARE:
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Mr. Lewis Bishop, all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job. After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file in for claims on your behalf.
There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall share in the ratio of 60percentage for me,40 percentage for you while my own 60 percentage will be invested in any business of your choice in your country.
Should you be interested please send the information’s below,via e-mail:elaineklptrck03@gmail.com
1. Full names and Age.
2. Private phone number.
3. Current residential address.
And finally after that I shall provide you with more details on this transaction.
Your earliest response to this letter will be highly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Ms. Elaine Kilpatrick

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