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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: James Paterson Esq <marketing@encore.com.hk>
Reply-To: <jpatersonesq@yahoo.cn>
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:50:32 -0800
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

James Paterson & Co
Coleridge Chambers
177 Corporation Street Birmingham, B4 6RG
TEL: +44-704-576-5861
Email: jpatersonesq@yahoo.cn

Attn: Sir/Madam.

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at $69,000,000.00(Sixty-Nine Million, Dollars).. This Finance Firm has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my named client, since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.

The money will be transferred little by little in such a way that it will not raise eyebrow. Before the transfer of this fund you must present a bank Account from any bank of your choice .

Best Regards,
Barr. James Paterson
(Senior Partner)
Accredited Specialist Lawyer
Barrister and Solicitor (Holland, 1981)
Solicitor (England 1997).

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