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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: "Crist Ford" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <crist4ord@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:12:17 +0100
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFIT

Mr. Crist Ford
Castle Chambers
The Old Fire Station, 90 High Street,
Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, HA1 3LP, UK
 
Your Kind Attention:
 
UNCLAIMED DEPOSIT.
 
Permit me to introduce myself, my name is Mr. Crist Ford of Castle Chambers, a financial consultant and lawyer base here in London. I was financial consultant and personal attorney to a rich and wealthy Investor, late Mr. Dennis, who died two years ago in a plane crash with his only daughter Stephanie and his wife, Sophia.
 
My late client before his untimely death had a deposit of US$7.7M, which with my assistance, he deposited in one of the leading banks here in London before his death. And after a long search, I am unable to locate any of his relative or other family members since he did not leave any WILL or next of kin to inherit this huge amount of money.
 
I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the deposit in his account valued at US$7.7M will be paid into any bank account you may nominate, then we will share the amount on a mutually ratio of 50% for me and 50% will be for you. I will be flying to meet with you in anywhere you may suggest for the disbursement of the fund according to the above specified ratio. And for us to succeed, this should be accorded utmost confidentiality to avoid leakage that may force us to pay huge tax afterwards.
 
What I require is your honest cooperation; transparency and complete trust to enable us see this transaction through.  I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect all parties from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology.  Whatever your decision, I await your prompt response. Please contact me on the telephone, fax number above or email to indicate your interest.
 
Finally,let me assure you that this is legitimate, devoid of any risk whatsoever.
 
Best regards,
 
Mr. Crist Ford
Castle Chambers, UK.

Anti-fraud resources: