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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: "Kelvin Smith" <kelvin_smith1970@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <kelvin_smith147@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:16:32 +0100
Subject: Please Treat As Urgent [Scanned]

Dear Friend,
 
 
My major priority of contacting you is to propose a deal that requires immediate and swift execution.I know this letter will definitely come to you as a huge Surprise, but I implore you to take your time to go through it carefully as the decision you make will go a long way to determine our future and business prospect.
 
I am Mr. Kelvin Smith and i work with the Westbridge & Alliance International bank, England. I am contacting you behalf of the Estate of our late client.I wish to notify you that our late client died since 2008 and since then none of his family member have come to stand as his NEXT OF KIN.
 
I am contacting you because I have good plans to find an investment partner. I have good link to a very interesting investment capital, and I believe that in one mind we can achieve something good for the future.And presently the bank wants to send his balance of £10.2 Million to treasury and i am contacting you to come in and act as his NEXT OF KIN.
 
I contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore I can present you as the sole beneficiary to the inheritance. I therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds as you are qualified by your name identity.
I assure and promise to give you 40% of this fund and 60% for me, however feel free to negotiate what you wish to have as your percentage in this deal.
 
All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance of this deal, I request that you kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address and also a copy of your Identification to enable me file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money in your name.
 
Regards,
Mr. Kelvin Smith

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