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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: "EDWARD CHIZARAM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.dwardchizaram@e-mail.ua>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:36:49 -0700
Subject: Kindly Respond Immediately Asap!

Edward Chizaram ESQ
Legal Representative
From: Edward Chizaram Esq.
24 Smith Ayodele Street Ikoyi
Good day,
I am Edward Chizaram, a Legal representative and a practicing Lawyer. I contacted you because you have the same surname with a deceased client of mine who died in the Tsunami disaster of 26th December 2004 while on vacation in Thailand leaving behind a deposit sum of $17.5 Million Dollars only. However, all my efforts to locate the possible next of kin proved abortive. Reason he was not married and was 48 years old.
As his personal attorney, the bank has asked my office to present my client close relative/Next of kin to come forth and claim the fund. I conducted a search and discovered that he did not have a surviving relative that can stand for the claim. It is on this note, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the bank to enable you inherit the fund he left behind to avoid the bank declaring the fund unclaimed deposit. I will also act as your personal attorney.
All I required is your honest cooperation to enable us see this through. I hereby guarantee you that the fund he left behind will be processed and paid to you in accordance to the Inheritance Law of the country. Upon your respond kindly email to me your personal address, telephone/Mobile phone and fax number for effective communication. I shall update you with the working details.
Upon successful conclusion of this transaction, you will be compensated with 30% of the total fund, while 70% will be for me and my office. If you are interested to work with me in this transaction, kindly reply strictly to my private email.
Thanking you in anticipation as I wait to speak with you.
Best Regards,
Edward Chizaram ESQ
Legal Representative

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