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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: Mr Edward Williams <prod_mgr.ms@energi-mp.com>
Reply-To: <eddyywillyss@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2016 22:33:55 -0700
Subject: Business Proposal

Good Day,
 
My name is Mr. Edward Williams, Currently working as an accountant with the West Merchant Bank Ltd. I take liberty
 
to forward to you this proposal which shall be of immense benefit to you. In March 2009 to be precise an Oil
 
contractor deposited the sum of US$25.6 Million with our bank for fixed deposit, with a maturity date of 30th
 
September 2010.
 
The depositor unfortunately died 2 months before the maturity date and till date we are still expecting his
 
relatives that will claim the fund. In view of this, I conducted a private investigation and discovered that the
 
late depositor did not have a surviving relative or traceable relative as he did not state it in the fix deposit
 
documentation.
 
Considering the fact that the depositor has no traceable relative who will eventually apply for the claim, I
 
decided to contact you because the depositor shares the same SURNAME with you, so that you can apply for claim
 
"WITH MY ASSISTANCE" you will take custody of the funds for our mutual benefit.
 
For your commission/compensation, in this project you will take 40% of the total amount. Please be advised that all
 
financial regulations/laws shall be strictly adhered for the successful completion of this transaction.
 
Kindly contact me by email for further information should you be interested regardless of the day and time, I will
 
get back to you immediately.
 
Regards,
 
Mr. Edward Williams

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