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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: reedasummers@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 02 Jan 2018 12:37:51 -0800
Subject: credence and legitimacy


Hello
I know this email must come to you as a surprise in that we have neither m=
et nor spoken before, but I believe that it takes just a contact for people=
to meet and become great friends and business partners. This is a personal=
and private letter directed to you and I request that it be treated as suc=
h.
My name is Reed Summers, a Retiree. I was the personal Financial Advisor t=
o a late Client that died in a car crash along with his immediate family m=
embers on the 30th of January 2008. Shortly after his death, I was directed=
by his bank to locate any of his extended relatives whom shall be claimant=
/beneficiary of his fixed deposit account with the bank valued at Eight Mil=
lion British Pounds (=A38,000,000.00). I tried my best to locate any of hi=
s family members but all such efforts were unsuccessful. I also sought the =
assistance of his original Home Country Embassy here in locating any of hi=
s relatives without any success. Just last week, I received yet another let=
ter from the holding bank indicating that proceedings for the forfeiture of=
this fund to the Government in line with enabling laws will be initiated =
if no Next of Kin came forward to claim the fund by the 10th anniversary of=
his death being 30th of January next year (2018). Considering the amount o=
f fund involved and non productive use it could be subjected to should this=
happen, I decided to urgently search for a credible and trusted mature ind=
ividual with same last name as my late Client to partner with in diverting =
this fund to a foreign bank account anywhere for onward sharing between us.
To commence the process of claim and transfer of this fund to your designa=
ted bank account, you need firstly signify your interest by return mail, an=
d I give you full details regarding this deal on gaining your confidence. R=
est assured that there are no risks involved as all process involved in ach=
ieving a smooth transfer of this fund to your nominated account would be le=
gally followed. Do also note that I have with me, copies of the original do=
cuments to the fixed deposit account needed to give credence and legitimacy=
to the claim. The documents were entrusted in my care by my late Client da=
ys after making the fixed deposit, so you need not entertain any fears. Als=
o note that from my discreet investigation, successful transfer of the Fund=
to your nominated account can be achieved within 16 Banking days of signif=
ying your interest. Like I said, I require only a solemn confidentiality on=
this.
Please, include your Private and confidential Phone number (preferably Mobi=
le) in your reply.
Best regards,
Reed Summers


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