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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: Paul Reidy <preidy1952@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:28:53 +0200
Subject: NEXT OF KIN

--
Attn:


My name is Mr. Paul Reidy a manager in one of the Citi Bank branches. I am
writing in respect of a foreign customer who used to works with a
multinational company, he made huge deposit with our bank before he died
two years ago.

Since the demise of this our customer, I personally has watched with keen
interest to see the next of kin but all has proved abortive as no one has
come to claim his funds of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars
($5,500,000) which has been with my branch for a very long time. On this
note, I decided to seek for whom his name shall be used as the next of kin
as no one has come up to be the next of kin.

However, the banking ethics here does not allow such money to stay in view
of this, I got your contact during my search through Internet after
realizing that your name can be used as related to the deceased and a
national of your country.

Upon the receipt of your response, I will send you by e-mail the
application and the next step to take. I will not fail to bring to your
notice that this business is hitch free and that you should not entertain
any fear as all modalities for fund transfer can be finalized within five
banking days, after you apply to the bank as next of kin to the deceased.

All these information bellow is needed from you to enable me file an
application on your name as the next of kin to the deceased then you apply
for the two inheritance documents from the law court here. As soon as I
have all the legal documents that is needed from my Bank, then we proceed
for fund transfer. You are I will share the money 60-40 after the transfer
into your account. 60% for me while 40% for you.

The bellow information is needed from you.

Your full names:................................
Home Address:......................................
Direct tell number:...................................
Fax number:...............................
Your age:...............................
Your occupation:...................................
Nationality:.................................
Your Private Email Account...........



Regards,

Paul Reidy

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