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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: James Kaunda <jameskaunda2.anpc@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2014 15:31:18 +0000
Subject: This is urgent and confidential, do respond for further details and clarifications

Hello,
I am the senior accounts auditor at my bank (Lloyds TSB) UK., I have a
business opportunity which I am proposing to you. We had a foreign
client who is a Gold Merchant from your country. Deposited a large sum
of money with our bank ($9.3 Million US Dollars). Eventually, died in
a car accident without any next of kin. I want to introduce you to my
bank as the next of kin as you have same surname and you will take 30%
as your share. All probate registry documentation shall be processed
to establish you as the known next of kin.
Note: Further information will be provided to you and all
documentation shall be done to establish you as the known authorized
next of kin.
As insiders(myself and two of my colleagues), we have all the relevant
information and documents needed.

Yours faithfully,
James Kaunda

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