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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: "Gary Iacovelli." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.gshetty@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 04:50:19 -0700
Subject: PLEASE GET BACK TO ME

Good day!
 
I am Mr. Gary Iacovelli, one of the influential Outstanding Director and Chief of Financial audit in UNIBANK GHANA LIMITED. Please forgive me for contacting you; I got your email from the Cambodia Export trade and information Center.
 
A personal client of mine MR KATTAN AZMAL, a very successful Merchant of your nationality made a fixed deposit for thirty-six (36) calendar months, with the sum of $19.7Million US Dollars only in my bank. The due date for this deposit contract was on the 16th of January 2007 and unfortunately, MR KATTAN AZMAL, and his entire family was among the death victims in Earthquake disaster in Indonesia that killed over 5,000 peoples, he was in Indonesia on a visit and that was how he met his end. From my investigation, which I have done perfectly, I discovered that the Late MR KATTAN AZMAL did not declare any NEXT of KIN in his official papers of the DEPOSIT that was made.
 
The thing that bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country which was signed lawfully that if such fund remains unclaimed till the period of five years started from the date when the beneficiary died, the funds will revert to the ownership of the Government if nobody applies to claim the funds as the (NEXT OF KIN), thus the reason and need for me to contact you, to enable me present you as the NEXT OF KIN to the deceased hence you are not a foreigner so that the funds can be paid to you for our sharing.
 
If you will like to assist me as a trustworthy partner, then indicate your interest after which we shall both discuss on the modalities. All other information shall be forward to you to facilitate the claim of the funds out of my country. The Percentage sharing will be 50% - 50%. Please email me or call me on phone for discussion + (233) 2424 68220.
 
Most Respectfully,
 
Mr. Gary Iacovelli.

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