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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: "William Parker" <padami@texoma.net>
Reply-To: pwilliam391@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:15:56 -0600
Subject: READ AND REPLY!!

Good Day,

Let me start by introducing myself, I am MR. WILLIAMS PARKER and i work
with one of the Bank Here in United Kingdom. I am writing you this letter
based on the latest development at my bank, which I will like to bring to
your personal interest. I am writing you this letter with so much joy and
excitement even though my heart goes out to the very powerful and
distinguished gentleman who I was Fortunate to have worked for and
extremely privileged to have known for numerous years. I am a top official
in charge of client accounts in LIOYDS TSB BANK here in United Kingdom.

In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United
States of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his
vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament, my
client came to me with a Very brilliant idea. He transferred some
funds,Twenty million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($20.5m)
to a fixed deposit account in my bank under an alias which only the two of
us knew about as the confidentiality of the matter was necessary for his
protection.

Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in
the account ever since and will continue to do so unless we do something
about it. This is where you come in. I located you through an agency that
helps seek people by their email. My client did not declare any next of
kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit.
Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our client so that you will be
able to receive his funds.

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we can
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 my client.
All that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with
your Full Names and Address so that he 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 and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you. 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. The allocation of our money will be as follows:
30%($6.15m) to you for your part in this, 65% for me and my partners and
5%for any unforeseeable expenses we may incur and I think this is
extremely fair, as you have nothing to lose but just a little time, while
on the other hand I am staking my flawless reputation among other things.
And besides $6.15 million is not a pocket change.

Once you are approved, the entire transaction should take no longer than
twelve business days after which we will go about our daily business, but
just millions of dollars richer. As you can see this is easier than taking
candy from a baby, but mind you, trust is something that is developed over
time and that is something that we do not have.

So I have to let you know that it will highly unfeasible to try to run
away with the money Because even though only you can transfer money in and
out of your account, the Transfer can only be authorized by my department
of which I happen to be the head. The money will be transferred from my
bank to an account you will provide. So please, there should be no room
for greed because Twenty million five hundred thousand dollars can quench
even the most insatiable desire for the almighty dollar.

Again, I will be in charge Of everything else. I will assume all
responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to worry about any
legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money. Your
Urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me through this
email Address (pwilliam391@gmail.com) for more details on this transaction
as Soon as possible.

This should be kept very secret and confidential.

Kind Regards,
Williams Parker

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