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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: "Mr. Mark R.Williams. (Esquire)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markwilliams20112012@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2013 08:18:56 -0700
Subject: Attn: Mr. Mark R.Williams. (Esquire)

Mr. Mark R.Williams. (Esquire)
7th Floor 275 Gloucester Road
London SW7 4TE.UK
TEL: + 44-70457-28610, 70457-31762, 70359-83155.
FAX: +44-70-9298-6982.
 
Good day.
 
I sent you this letter a month ago, but I'm not sure if you did receive it as I haven't heard from you and this is the reason I am resending it to you again. I'm Mr. Mark Williams, personal Attorney and Financial Adviser to My Late Client, Mr. Johnson, a business Merchandise/Oil Consultant, Who died alongside with his direct family in a capsized ship On the 14 January 2012. You can view this website to see by yourself.
 
 
Please note that My Late Client, Johnson Contracting Firm, made a numbered (Fixed) Deposit, with a reputable bank here in the United kingdom valued at £27,320,000.00 (Twelve Seven Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Thousand Pounds) which has been required to be processed for transfer in your name hence I contacted you, I have contacted you because you share the same surname with him, also he is from of your country of origin, and I am willing to share it with you 50% each for both parties.
 
Let me brief you on the procedures we shall embark upon to ensure that the money is transferred without offending the law of either your country or mine. This is indeed a serious and legal transaction and it is my priority that it is transferred legally. Upon the confirmation of your interest after reading this mail, I shall send to you the Bank's "Next of Kin" Application Form. You in turn shall complete it and send it by FAX to the administrative office where it shall be processed; thereafter you shall then be contacted officially by the Bank and work out the modalities for the transfer to your Bank account where you wish to receive the funds.
 
I want to ensure that everything is done legally and within the ambits of the law. I am very optimistic that with the proper commitment from both of us, we can conclude this project in 7 working days. Please re-confirm your interest and commitment to this project and let me know if I should send to you the said "Next of Kin" Application form for proper action.
 
Looking forward to working with you confidentially on this transaction.
 
Best regards,
 
Mr. Mark R.Williams. (Esquire)
7th Floor 275 Gloucester Road
London SW7 4TE.UK
TEL: + 44-70457-28610, 70457-31762, 70359-83155.
FAX: +44-70-9298-6982.

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