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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: "Paul Hasenfratz" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 29 May 2013 11.32.14 +0200
Subject: Re-Cordial...

Hello,

Compliment of the day!

I am the Vice-President of the Swiss Banker's Association and the Swiss Banking Ombudsman Foundation. The Swiss Banking Ombudsman Foundation is charged with the responsibility of the owners, beneficiaries and next of kin? of dormant bank accounts within Swiss Banks ( http://www.bankingombudsman.ch )


The Swiss Banking Ombudsman Foundation also runs a Central Claims Office for persons searching for dormant assets.


Persons suspecting assets to which they are entitled to with an unknown bank in Switzerland can ask the Central Claims Office of the Swiss Banking Ombudsman for the polling of the databank of all dormant customer relationships (savings books, accounts including numbered and pseudonym accounts, custody accounts, safe-deposit boxes) of Swiss banks in the course of the relevant guidelines issued by the Swiss Banker's Association.


As a former CEO Cantonal Bank of Zurich and also a member of this committee (Swiss Banking Ombudsman Foundation), I am in a good position to inform you of this particular deposit that belongs to a Dead Politician without a registered WILL to the deposit made on his behalf by Cantonal Bank of Zurich to a London Safe Firm for so many years now. I have established communication with the Safe Firm to find out the true status of the deposit made with them. They confirmed the deposit with them and also request I present the beneficiary to come forward for the claim.


BUSINESS DETAILS:

I want to present you to the safe firm as the next of kin to the deceased, I have all the paper work in place about the deceased, and all information needed to make you the next of kin to enable you claim the deposit worth $12 Million United States dollars with the safe firm.

I want to re-assure you that this business is risk free; once I present you to the safe firm they will immediately release the deposit to you without any delay. Please do not contact me via my official channels, only contact me on the number I will give to you. If you do I will deny knowing you for my own security.


More Comprehensive Details will be released to you upon your positive reply. email: p_hasenfratz@r7.com

Thanks,

Paul Hasenfratz.

Anti-fraud resources: