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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: Thomas Philip <thomasphilip@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: bar.thomasphilip@lawyer.com
Date: Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:41:45 -0600
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL



Attn: Dear,

Your e-mail address came up in a random draw conducted by our law firm,
My name is Thomas Philip (Esq.). A personal attorney to our
late client Mr. MOHAMAD SAAZ who worked for an oil firm. Mr. MOHAMAD SAAZ
a well known Philanthropist, before he died, he made a Will in our law
firm stating that Four Million, Two Hundred Thousand British Pounds
Sterling should be donated to Ten Philanthropist each.


We have made a random draw and your name and e-mail address was picked
as the beneficiary to this Will. I am particularly interested in
securing this money from the Bank, because they have issued a notice
instructing us to produce the beneficiary of this Will which happens
that you are involved or else the money will be credited to the
Government treasury as per law here.


It is my utmost desire to execute the Will of our late client. You are
required to contact me immediately to start the process of
transferring this money to any of your designated local account. I
urge you to contact me immediately for further details bearing in mind
that the Bank has given us a date limit.



Regards,

Barrister Thomas Philip [Esq.].

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