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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: "Barr. Phillip Smith" <phillip.smith@consultingroup.com>
Reply-To: phillip_smith2012@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 13 May 2015 05:25:11 -0700
Subject: Pls.Get Back To Me Asap!!

Hello,

I am Phillip Smith, a United Kingdom solicitor at law working with the
reputable firm - Euro Consulting Group in Spain/ London. I am the
Personal Attorney to a property magnate who lost his life on Monday, 31
July, 2000, along with his wife, Maria and their children and even grand
children in a plane crash. The AF4590 crash include all 109 people on
board and five who died on the ground when the plane crashed into the
Hotelissimo.

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 Bank where this huge deposit was lodged.

The Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about US$20 Million
Dollars has issued me with a notice to provide the next of kin or have
the Account Confiscated within the next twenty-one official working
days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives; I now
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased as
you bear the same surname so that the Proceeds of this account valued at
US$20 Million Dollars can be paid to you, subsequently to be shared
among us if you agree, we can discuss your percentage.

I have all necessary Legal documents that can be used to back up any
claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us
see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of
the law.

I await your positive response including your telephone number,
Occupation and Full Address .

Best regards,
Phillip Smith B.Sc, Dip Law.

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