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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. John Williams" <officeh12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnw893@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:50:31 -0700
Subject: I need your services in a confidential matter

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write you this message under strict recommendation and in good faith.I am
sorry at the perceived confusion you may have by receiving this letter from
me since we have not previously met. To be Straight, I am a solicitor at
law and the personal Attorney to the late Engineer Donald Alex who used to
work with the defunct SINGER TEXTILES COMPANY IN GHANA.

On the 4th of May, 2002 it was reported to us that my Client, his wife and
their only daughter were involved in a Local Plane Crash at Komasi State,
all occupants in the Plane lost their lives,unfortunately on the same
flight were other dignitaries like the Sports Minister and a host of
others.

Since then I have made several enquirers to locate any of my clients
extended relatives. This unfortunately has proved unsuccessful. Hence I
seized this opportunity and decided to contact you for your help.

I am contacting 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 the Huge amount deposited, Particularly,
Where the deceased had an account valued at (USD$12.5) million Dollars has
just recently issued me a notice to provide the next of kin of The deceased
or have the account confiscated within the shortest Period of time.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for Close to three
(4) years now, I seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin of the
deceased on your immediate approval and acceptance to assist me in this
matter, so that the proceeds of this Account valued at USD$12.5 million
United States Dollars can be paid to you after which you and I can share
the money.45% of the total fund would be for you while 45% for me and the
other 10% for charity the motherless homes. I have the necessary logistics
that would be used to back up your claim at the Financial Institution where
these funds are deposited temporarily, all I require is your honest
cooperation to enable this deal through and your willingness to carry out
this project with me till it's fruitful end.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate Arrangement that
will protect both of us from any breach of the Law to cover up your
reputable name. Please get in touch with me if you willingly accept this
offer.So that I could forward immediately to you the necessary details on
how we are to carry out this project to a fruitful end.

1) YOUR FULL NAME
2) YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
3) YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER
4) YOUR OCCUPATION AND YOUR AGE.

to enable our further discussion about this transaction. I now await to
have your soonest positive response to this regards.

Thank you and my sincere regards to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Barrister John Williams.

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