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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: Paul William <Paulwilliams1000@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:33:07 +0000
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL.




>From Mr Paul William
paulwilliams1000@hotmail.com

Hello My Dear Friend,
This email might come as a surprise to you since there was no previous communication between us however, this correspondence is unofficial but private, and it should be treated as such. I apologize if the contents of this mail will be contrary to your moral ethics. I am Mr. Paul , a Chief auditor with my bank. Due to my urgent need for a foreign partner prompted me to contact you, I wrote earlier to you but no answer, I try to tell you about my late client's cash deposit of ($15.3M) Fifteen million three hundred thousand U.S. dollars) that is now at the point of being confiscated as unclaimed fund by our bank. I have the opportunity of confidentially transferring and moving it to you as his partner/beneficairy since you bear similar names with him. Take note that this can be handled without any risk on us as I'm in perfect possession of all relating papers and can amend it to reflect you as the next of kin without any problem, you will not be exposed to any risk now question.I will direct you how to present yourself as the beneficairy before the bank here for the affirmation of the deposited. If you are interested please reply me with your complete information's such as;Your Full Name,Your Country and location,Your Age, occupation,Your direct mobile Telephone Numbers, so that I will draft you an introductory letter which you will personally send to our bank and will give you more details on what to do and how to do it. I will prefer and advise you to contact me through this email address; paulwilliams1000@hotmail.com
Yours Truly,
Mr. Paul .
BTCI Banque (Audit and account manager)
Lome Republique du Togo.


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