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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: "Hi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <matt.wright@e-mail.ua>
Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:11:22 +0400
Subject: Hello Dear Friend....

Hello Dear Friend,
 
It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, which I believe may be a surprise to you as we have never met before, but I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner infringe on your privacy as I was compelled by necessity to contact you now because this particular letter is of exceptional value, very confidential and private in nature and requires your unbiased attention.
 
However, my name is Barr. Matthew Wright, a British attorney at law; I am contacting you in respect of a business transaction that required your urgent attention. My client Mr. Felipe Gordon and his family died in a plane crash [Korean Air Flight801] with the whole passengers aboard on August 6th, 2003 and even till this date, I have not been able to locate any of his relative’s. Before his death, he was an International Businessman and oil merchant who made a numbered deposit of FORTY EIGHT MILLION; FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS (GBP 48, 500,000.00 British pounds) with British Bank (GB), this fund was set to be used in setting up a GAS PLANT PROJECT IN MIDDLE-EAST. The fund has remained unclaimed and the Bank will take over this fund if I do not present anyone to claim it as the beneficiary.
 
I am seeking for your prompt assistance in helping me receive this fund in your account as the beneficiary, I seek your permission to have you stand as the Next of kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully worked out by me for the funds to be released in your favor as the sole beneficiary of the deposited fund. It may interest you to know that I have secured from the court, an order of mandamus to locate any of deceased relatives to claim the fund deposit.
 
Please note that your share of the fund is 40% and 60% is for me. If this proposal is acceptable to you, quickly contact me at once to indicate your interest with your information as listed below;
 
1. Your Name: .......
2. Your Full Address: ........
3. Your Telephone………
4. Age: ...................
5. International Passport or Valid ID card……
6. Your Occupation.........
 
All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us sees this transaction through, then I will work out the fund transfer into your nominated bank account successfully.
 
Please quickly get back to me for details on the next step to take for us to actualize the deal.
 
Yours truly,
Barr.Matthew Wright
London, United Kingdom
matt.wright@e-mail.ua

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