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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: "Anthonio Sergio" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ntuklotx@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 07:00:36 -0500
Subject: Dear Friend

Hello
NOTARY & LEGAL AGENCY PRACTISIONER
C / Garcia Moreno 1, 1-B 28010,
Madrid, SPAIN
Date: 27-02-2014
 
 
I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it was borne out of desperation and current development here in my chamber. Please bear with me. I am Antonio Sergio, a solicitor at law here in Madrid, SPAIN. I was The Personal Attorney to late MR. George Eric a national of Belgium who owned a steel plant here in Spain. Hereinafter Shall I be referred to as my client?
 
On the 11th of March 2004, my client, his Wife and Their 2 Children were involved in. the Madrid train bomb attack, along Atocha train center. 190 occupants of the train unfortunately lost Their Lives.
 
I know that my client had no living next of kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my Clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful. I only did so to be double sure of this fact these after several unsuccessful attempts
 
I Decided to track his last name over your Country data base. I have Contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before They Get Confiscated or Declared unserviceable by the security company where this deposits were Lodged, Particularly in a SECURITY COMPANY here in Madrid, Spain where my client Deposited the fund valued of about U.S. $ 25 million (Twenty Five Million Thousand Dollars). This fund will be Confiscated after TEN years if not Claimed and Shall be taken over as well since there is no Next of Kin to claim the fund.
 
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 9 years and some months now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since he his  from your country and I will inform the security company That you are the beneficiary of the consignment / fund With The documents of proof to back you up. So that the proceeds of this account valued at U.S. $ 25 million Dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money on 60/40 percentage.
 
I have all necessary Legal Documents That Can be used to back up any claim we make May. All I require is your honest disposition and sincere co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee That This Will Be Executed under a legitimate arrangement
That will protect you from any breach of the law as long as you treat it  confidentially  to yourself since you May or May not be the Next of kin to my late client Because he did not mention you to me as his relative.
 
REGARDS,
BARR. ANTONIO SERGIO(Esq)
BA / LLB / LPC (EUROPEAN LAW)

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