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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: "MR. Bell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bell1985bell@dr.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 13:57:05 -0500
Subject: OPPORTUNITY.

Mr. Bell
People's Corporate Bank International
London, United Kingdom.

Attention:

Thank you for taking out time to read my email. My name is Bell and I am well
trained and work with the People's Corporate Bank Internationa London private
banking department. I Work as part of a bigger team that covers the entire Europe
region. I have taken pains to find your contact through personal endeavours.

On routine audit check last month, I discovered some investment accounts that
have been dormant for the last five years, all the accounts belonging to a
single holder with monies totalling a little above (US$7.5 Million United States
Dollars). Banking regulation/legislation in London demand that I notify the
fiscal authorities after a statutory time period of six years when dormant
accounts of this type are called in by the monitory regulatory bodies. The above
set of facts underscores my reason of writing and making the following proposal.

My investigations of the said account reveals that the investor died in 2004 the
exact time the account was last operated, I can confirm with certainty that the
said investor died interstate and no nextofkin to his estate has been found or
has come forward all these years. I am of the settled conviction that using my
insider leverage, working with you can secure the funds in the account for us
instead of allowing it pass as an unclaimed fund into the coffer of the Uk
Government. This is especially possible as you can stand as his extended
relative. This is exactly why I crave your participation and co-operation.

I have seized all relevant documents (Legal and Banking) including access to the
very account of the deceased. That will facilitate my fronting you as the
claimant/sole beneficiary of the decease estate/huge capital (US$7.5M) and
ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you. Of course you
shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction with 50%
compensation from the total funds for your efforts, less any expenses.

I shall however leave out the final details of this transaction till I receive
an affirmation of your desire to participate. Be assured that I am on top of the
situation. There will be no risk involved whatsoever if you agree 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.

I guarantee that the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect all from any bridge of law. To affirm your willingness and
cooperation to my proposal kindly send me the underlisted which are as follows:

(1) Full Name; (2) Telephone and Mobile Numbers; (3) Postal Address: (4)
Occupation; (5) Date of Birth (6) Passport/Drivers license
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Bell

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