joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: pingyanthoon@outlook.com
Reply-To: yanthoon@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 12:16:02 +0800
Subject: Letter of Intent


My name is Yan Thoon, and I work as Head of Wealth & Fund Management ping An Bank in Hong Kong. Am sorry to have contacted you like this but I have a business for you that will benefit both of us. I am getting in touch with you regarding the estate of a deceased client with similar last name and an investment placed under our bank management. I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of this mail confidential and respect the integrity of the information you come by as a result of this mail. I contact you independently and no one is informed of this communication.

In 2005, the subject matter,my Late client came to our bank to engage in business discussions with our private banking division. He informed us that he had a financial portfolio of 9.8 million United States dollars, which he wished to have us invest on his behalf. Based on my advice, we spun the money around various opportunities and made attractive margins for our first months of operation, the accrued profit and interest stood at over 12 million United States Dollars. In mid 2006, he instructed that the principal sum (9.8M) be liquidated because he needed to make an urgent investment requiring cash payments in Hong Kong. However the Bank got in touch with me last year that this money has not been claimed. On further enquiries we found out that my Late client was involved in an accident in Mainland China, which means he died intestate. He has no next of kin and this is the reason I am writing you because he bear the same LAST NAME with you.

What I propose is that since I have exclusive access to his file, you will be made the beneficiary of these funds. ping An Bank will contact you informing you that money has been willed to you. On verification, which will be the details I make available to ping An Bank. Ping An Bank will be instructed to make payments to you after all the necessary verification and application is done. You do not have to have known my Late client. I know this might be a bit heavy for you but please trust me on this. For all your troubles I propose that we split the money in half. In the banking circle this happens every time. The other option is that the money will revert back to the state. Nobody is getting hurt; this is a lifetime opportunity for us. I hold the KEY to these funds, and as a Chinese National we see so much cash and funds being re-assigned daily. I would want us to keep communication for now strictly by email.


I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, I, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of Hong Kong. This is especially possible as you bear the same LAST NAME to the said investor. This exactly is why I crave your participation and co-operation. I am seized with all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately transfer the money to an account to be nominated by you.


I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Rest assured that I am on top of the situation all the time and there will be no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board. Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.

Please note I am a family man, I have a wife and children. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to the consequences, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never come easy or on a platter of gold. This is the one truth I have learned from my private banking clients. Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should act swiftly on this.

Please advice me on your position immediately via this email thoonyanwsdz@cnegal.com

Truly

Yan Thoon

Anti-fraud resources: