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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. Robert Macaulay" <RobertMacaulay420@optushome.com.au>
Reply-To: robertmacaulay309@privyonline.com
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2023 02:22:15 -0800
Subject: Discovered account

Dear:


I am Mr Robert Macaulay, I am the Business Manager of one of the
biggest banks in the World with a branch in London, United Kingdom. I
am getting in touch with you regarding the funds of a deceased client
with our bank Mr Jeffery Wong, I would respectfully request that you
keep the contents of this letter confidential and respect the
integrity of the information you come by as a result of this letter. I
contact you independently and no one is informed of this
communication.

On routine audit check last fiscal year, my department discovered some
investment accounts that have been dormant for at least Fifteen years
belonging to the deceased, with account balance of US$33,500,000
(Thirty Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars). Now, banks
regulation demands that we do notify the fiscal authorities after a
statutory time span of Fifteen years when dormant accounts of this
type are called in by the Financial Conduct Authority Regulatory
bodies. The above set of facts motivated my reason of writing and
proposing to you. My investigation of the said account reveals that
the investor, a foreigner from Taiwan died in 2000 which was the exact
time the account was last operated. I can confirm with certainty that
the said investor died interstate and no next of kin to his funds has
been found or has come forward all these years.

I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, working
with you can secure the funds in the account for us and the less
privileged, instead of allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the
coffers of the Government. This is exactly why I crave your
participation and co-operation. I am seized with all relevant
documents (legal and Banking) that will facilitate our putting you
forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds and ultimately
transfer the money to an account to be nominated by you. Definitely
you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this transaction as
I am prepared to allocate 40% slice of the total funds for your
efforts. I shall leave out the further details of this transaction
till I receive an affirmation of your desire to participate. Be rest
assured that I am in control of this situation all the time and there
will be no risk whatsoever if you elect to come on board. Needless to
say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are to
successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction.

Thanks and regards.


Mr. Robert Macaulay

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