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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: "Robert Gohier" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rechtsanwaltskanzleic@yahoo.es>
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2016 13:21:23 -0700
Subject: Proposal for International Investment Relationship




Proposal for International Investment Relationship
07/04/2016
ATT,
Robert Gohier Grapperhaus LLP is pleased to submit this proposal for mutually beneficial and confidential business relations. We are universally recognized market leaders in corporate transactions, banking & capital markets, governance & regulatory disputes. Our services are founded to provide effective, efficient, and creative legal services to meet the distinctive needs of both local and international clients. Our philosophy is to provide advice and representation that allows clients to achieve their financial investment goals while minimizing legal risk. We represent public and private agencies and we have extensive experience in this area.
WHY I CONTACTED YOU:
I contacted you on behalf of a client interested in investment in your country. He is a retired United Nations staff and has contacted us to provide him an international investment advice and service. The total amount my client want to invest is GBP 32.8 000,000 and he relies on the expertise of our firm to provide him all needed guidance and regulatory advise
WHAT YOU MUST KNOW:
The UK is the largest single base for non-EU companies setting up operations in Europe and it is the largest reported repository in Europe for investment. No approval mechanisms exist for foreign investment; foreigners may freely establish or purchase enterprises in the UK, with few exceptions, and acquire land or buildings. There are no restrictions on the free flow of capital. Foreign ownership is limited in only a few strategic privatized companies.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It means that on my expertise of the UK LEGAL, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS and REGULATORY SYSTEM, we shall be saving an estimated total of 4.5 million GBP in tax avoidance. My agreement with my client as legal charges is any amount I can save from tax in the transfer of this amount to the beneficiary. All I require is your corporation for investment as a company outside the UK and we shall be going home with the evaded tax amount on equal ratio when the transfer is completed to your account.
WHAT I WANT FROM YOU:
First of all I demand for sincerity, corporation and acceptance to receive my client’s funds and invest it. If you choose not to invest it, we compensate our effort with the evaded tax amount and then I will come over and find an alternative investment for my client in your country.
I will be providing you with more explanation and directives if you accept to partner with me. Please get back to me on the email address stated above.
Yours Sincerely
Esq. Robert Gohier Grapperhaus
(LL.B, LL.M, S.JD)

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