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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: Brendan Lingard <mrscaroline2017@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: brendanlingardfirm@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 03 Dec 2017 16:34:48 -0500
Subject: Greetings

BRENDAN ATTORNEY FIRM
6 London Street
London | Paddington W2 1HR
Tel: +447937414485
E-mail: brendanlingardfirm@gmail.com

NOTE: If you received this message in your SPAM/BULK folder, that is
because of the restrictions implemented by your Internet Service
Provider

Dear Friend

I am Barrister Brendan Lingard, Attorney at law. A deceased client of
mine, that shares the same last name as yours, who died as the result of
a heart-related condition in March 12th 2009. His heart condition was
due to the death of all the members of his family in the plan crash in
January 10th 2009.

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by
my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
where this deposit valued at Twenty Eight Million Dollars
($28,000,000.00) is lodged. This bank has issued me a notice to contact
the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the
next-of-kin and beneficiary of my named client, since you have the same
last name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then
we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal
documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be
provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this
transaction through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect
you from many breach of the law. If this business proposition offends
your moral values, do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to
implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter
extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your
prompt response. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest. I
will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as
possible via my private EMAIL :(brendanlingardfirm@gmail.com) and treat
with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.

I look forward to your quick reply.

Best regards,
Brendan Lingard
Attorney at Law.

Anti-fraud resources: