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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: "Hon: Owoen" <nelson.amegan222@gmail.com>
Reply-To: honowoen.ben@yandex.com
Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2016 01:36:41 +0200
Subject: Write me back

Hello Dear Friend,

I'm Hon: Owoen Ben, from Republic of Togo. I have a deceased client
that bears the same name as you, he deposited six point five million
US dollars in a bank before his death, i want you to stand as his
heir,

On the 26th of July, 2008, my client and his family were involved in a
car accident while arriving from a holiday. All occupants of the
vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. I have made several inquiries
to locate any of my clients extended relatives but was unsuccessful.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives of my late
client, am contacting you to assist me in claiming the sum of US$
$6,500.000.00 million which my late client deposited with a bank here
in Togo, since you both bear the same name.

The Bank has issued me a notification to provide my late client's next
of kin/relation or they will have the fund confiscated if I fail to
provide any. It is standard practice that after the expiration of a
specified period, the said fund will be automatically confiscated and
transfer to the Bank treasury as unclaimed bill if there is nobody to
file in claim as the next of kin/relation to the deceased and the
account will be closed.

On receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the
sharing ratio and modalities for the transfer. Kindly get back to me
with your Information as noted below to enable me draft an application
letter for claim in your name.

Full name :
Age :
Country :
Home Address :
Telephone number :
Your Profession :

I will give you more clarification on the transaction as soon as I
hear from you .

Yours, Sincerely,

Hon : Owoen Ben.

Anti-fraud resources: