joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "Charles Stanley Esq" <info@lawfirm.com>
Reply-To: charlesstanley000100@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 13:14:47 +0100
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

Anti-fraud resources: