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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: "MR. CHARLES STANLEY" <charlesstanley000100@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:49:26 -0500
Subject: Dear Fund Trustee:

Dear Fund Trustee:


This is in regard to the meeting held in our office complex this morning as to the
reason for the delay in the transfer of the Graham Robert trust fund by the
transferring bank, the meeting lasted hours and a conclusion was arrived at. The
transferring bank made it clear that they are not responsible for the delay in the
transfer of the Graham Robert fund, they said they have furnished you with the
procedures of setting up online account and expected that by now you should have
concluded the account setup procedures, but to no avail.


This meeting became necessary due to the recent threat from the British High court
regarding the confiscation of the Graham Robert fund on grounds of incompetence from
your end. You will note that the deadline date given is already close and as such, you
should try your utmost best to comply with the transferring bank directives of setting
up online account to enable them transfer the funds to your account. We have been able
to reach modalities with the bank and they came to a compromise that the only way they
can help is that you pay a (1/3rd) of the required fee (3,499 USD), and have them
transfer (1,3rd) of the said Graham Robert fund (1, 55,600,000.00 USD). On that note
you are hereby requested to pay the sum of (1,116 USD) to have them transfer the said
sum of (52,000,000.00 USD) i.e. 1/3rd of the fund, to your account to enable you have
reasonable amount in your possession, so you can be able to complete the balance
payment to enable them transfer the balance funds to your online account.


I think this is the best option so far as I believe the new fee should be affordable
from your end. I would have financed this transaction, but sincerely I don’t have any
money. The bank has made it clear that except the requested fee is paid, they cannot
proceed with the transfer of the Graham Robert fund to your account, and the fund
cannot be deducted to cover the required fee. It’s your sole responsibility as the
beneficiary of the fund, to come up with the requested sum of (1,116 USD) being account
activation charges to enable the transfer of the funds to your account, as that is the
only way the fund can be transferred out of Graham Robert suspense account to your
online account.


I await your response to this email soon.


Have a nice day
Charles Stanley

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