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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: "David Mckay" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <davidmckay_52@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:37:56 -0700
Subject: CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY..

Mr. David E. Mckay
235 High Holborn Street,
London, WC1V 7LE, ENGLAND
 
 
Dear Friend,
 
I am David Mckay, an Attorney at law. A deceased client of mine, died as the result of a heart-related condition in September 2008.I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client since all efforts to get to a known relative of his has proved abortive. Until his death, He was a widower. His wife and only daughter died at the September 11th 2001 World trade center bombing.
 
The bank where the said funds was deposited issued me a notice to contact his next of kin before the money gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at $15,000,000 (Fifteen million united states dollars) was lodged.
 
I want to believe that you know that formal Prime Minister Gordon Brown before leaving office said that some of the money held in dormant accounts would be used to fund youth and community projects for your confirmation please visit :
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4017381.stm
 
My proposition to you is to seek your consent in presenting you as the Next-of-kin and beneficiary of my named client, since you bear the same last name with my deceased client, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the money on a mutually agreed-upon percentage.
 
All legal documents to back up your claim, as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.
 
This Transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law this I assure you.
 
If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apologies; but if not, then contact me as an indication of your interest, by forwarding your Full Names, address, telephone number so as to start the release procedures.
 
Best Regards,
David  Mckay.

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