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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.KINS ZONDO" <kinszondofirm@outlook.com>
Reply-To: kinszondo@mail.com
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2018 21:11:19 +0100
Subject: Good Day

Good Day
 
My sincere apologies if the contents hereunder are contrary to your moral
ethics. Open your mind to this one in a lifetime opportunity and please
treat with absolute confidentiality.
 
I am Mr. Kins Zondo, a Client Relationship Officer at Rand Merchant Bank
Private Bank. On 29th November 2013 at about 18:29 hours. A Mozambican
Airlines plane that went down in torrential rain in Namibia carrying mining
magnates and business people
(http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-25482083). One of our esteemed
clients Mr. Andrew Stapleton made a numbered time (Fixed Deposit) for
twelve calendar months in my Bank since October 2013. Upon maturity, we
sent a usual notice to his known address but got no answer.
 
After a month we sent a reminder and finally we discovered that they were
also on that same flight on a vacation with his family to Namibia and
unfortunately this sad event happened.
 
On additional inquisition, the Bank discovered that he died without making
a WILL or TESTAMENT and all efforts made to locate any of his extended
relatives proved abortive. On further inquest, it was discovered that late
Mr. Andrew Stapleton only stated his wife/business partner on all official
documents and she was also dead in the crash.
 
The total invested sum of US$9.5M still in my bank unclaimed. No one would
ever come forward to claim this money.
In accordance with the Financial Services Authority Guiding Principles, the
account would be declared fallow and the proceeds would be revert to the
possession of the South African Government if nobody applies as the
beneficiary to the funds.
 
On this note, I wish to invite you as a foreigner partner to stand in as
the beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account will
be released to you for us to share as similar chances do arise in the Bank
and it’s only the Top Executives that siphon such funds for their own
aggrandizement.
 
Upon your acceptance of this proposition I shall give you comprehensive
information on how this venture would be accomplished without any hitch.
 
Moreover, we shall employ the services of a notary here for the purpose of
procuring a letter of probate and to obtain all other pertinent documents
in your name for the requisite documentation for immediate approval of this
fund to your favour.
 
The money would be shared in the ratio of: Fifty percent for me, forty five
percent for you and five percent for lawyer representing us. I pledged that
this venture would be accomplished under a justifiable pact that will
protect you from any legal trouble and I will use my significant influence
in the bank to secure approvals and guarantee the successful completion of
this transaction.
 
Please be informed that your extreme discretion is required. If this
proposition interests you, kindly reply me directly by email and indicate
your readiness and willingness to finalize this transaction with me. Email
me your full names and contact details.
 
Upon receipt of your positive response with the requested information, I
will contact the lawyer to start the preliminary arrangements and also
draft an application letter with your endorsement and send it officially to
my Bank to enable them start Administrative Processing and Approval in your
favour.
 
Thanks for your time as I look forward to your timely and positive reply.
 
Respectfully yours,
 
Kins Zondo

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