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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: "Lloyds Bank TSB" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mkingsx22@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2012 21:50:23 -0800
Subject: Kein Thema

150 Hillview
London, SW1A 2EL
Dear Sir
For Confidence
My Dear.
Please consider to help me relocate this USD $20.5M to your country
This fund was deposited in our Bank by Mrs. Nina Wang from Hong Kong
who died of cancer on April 3rd 2007 without a heir.
A routine notification was sent to her forwarding E-mail address but
without responses. She did not declare her next of kin in the bank
official papers.
This money has been floating and if I do not remit it out urgently it
will be confiscated by the government as unclaimed fund. You will be
compensated with 30% for your collaboration to receive this fund.
I will give you all vital information and clarification so that you
will contact the paying Bank for the release of the money into your
account as next of kin to the deceased depositor.
All i need from you is just your consent so that the
fund will be released to you.
You will be required to:-
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties and trading.
Please email me back on my private email:
for more update.
Regards,
John Vickers

Anti-fraud resources: