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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: Lisa Zhang <lizhang12223@gmail.com>
Reply-To: zhanglisa074@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:16:08 +0800
Subject: Confidential Business Proposal

--
Dear Friend,

I am Mrs. Lisa Zhang , General Manager Internal Audit in BANK. This is
about a business proposal that will be of an immense benefit for both of us.

In my department, I discovered an abandoned sum of $4.5 Million US Dollars
in an account that belongs to one of our late foreign customer, who was one
of the victim of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370/MAS370) which crashed
on March 8, 2014 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Since their death, our bank has been waiting for the next of kin to come
for the claim of their money and goods valued the sum of $4.5 Million US
Dollars. But nobody has done so, I personally have failed in the search for
his relatives, I seek your consent to present you to the bank as the next
of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at $4.5
Million US Dollars. Can be paid to you.

I find out this during the course of our internal audit,the deal will be
divided in this ratio: 50% for me and 50% for you. I have in my possession
all the necessary and important documents that can be used in this
business. I need your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to
enable us sees this transaction through. I guarantee you 100% success in
this business; you can be rest assured that this transaction is executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the
law both here and in your country.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us achieve this
opportunity. If this business proposition offends you, do accept my sincere
apology. If on the contrary you wish to achieve this goal with me. Please
let me know your decision rather than keep me waiting. Note: Do not forget
that this business requires absolute secrecy and has to be done as quickly
as possible.

Best regards,

Mrs. Lisa Zhang

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