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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. Donald Stevenson" <Stevensongroup@stevenson.info>
Reply-To: Stevensongroup@gmx.com
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016 02:03:49 -0800
Subject: Kindly Treat Urgent

Hello.

I'm Donald Stevenson, principle partner at Stevenson & Associates. We specialize in Financial and Corporate Law and we are based in United Kingdom.

I am contacting you in regards to a deceased German client, he was a prominent client of mine and lived in Antwerp Belgium. He happens to share the same last name with you. But before his death, my client deposited (22million euro) with a financial institution, documentations regarding this deposit indicates that claims can only be made by his relative/family member. Unfortunately he had no will at the time of his death and all efforts made to locate his next kin was negative.

However, the financial institution has mandated me to present the next of kin or a relative who will claim my client’s funds and failure to respond to this ultimatum would legally allow the financial institute to position this funds as unclaimed. I have put in place all necessary requirements concerning the release of this funds and it is my intention to introduce you as the legal next of kin and therefore the beneficiary. Please note that I am legally equipped with all necessary information/documentations concerning this deposit. Upon acceptance, I will process the release of this fund to your possession. You will be entitle to 50% of the said funds and 50% for me, while for security reasons, I have decided not to add more information on this letter.

However, as soon as I receive your response and acceptance of this offer, I shall provide you with more details and step by step process on how this funds can be paid to you within 7business days. In conclusion, I will appreciate your complete honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to enable us conclude this transaction.

I GUARANTEE that this process would be executed under a legitimate process that would legally protect you from any breech of Law. Please respond via email or fax numbers below.

Sincerely,
Barr. Donald Stevenson

Stevenson & Associates
128 Clifford Street, London W1S 2LQ
United Kingdom
Tel: +447937149995
Cell:+447937697108
Fax: +448458740964
Email: Stevensongroup@post.com

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