joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
 Free trial for 30 days
   jwSpamSpy
Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: Barrister Andre <morriswiam@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barristerbonvin41@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2023 13:58:22 +0100
Subject: Good Day,

Good Day ,

How are you doing today. I know that, this message might come to you
as surprise because We don't know each other nor have we ever met
before. I am Barrister Andre Bonvin ,A solicitor at law, personal
attorney to ( Late Mr.Alex J.) ,who bears the same last name with
you,who used to work with Shell Development Company in Benin.Here in
after shall be referred to as my client.

On the 21st of April 2009,my client, his wife and their only daughter
were involved in a ghastly car accident along Portnovo express
road.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.Since
then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients
extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these
several unsuccessful attempts, In my disparate search for urgent
assistance, I decided to track his last name over the foreign mission
guestbook, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at
6.5MillionUSD, left behind by my client before it get confiscated or
declared nu-serviceable by the (BANK) here in Benin, where this huge
amount were deposited. And now the bank has issued me a notice to
provide the next of kin or have his account confiscated within the
next Few weeks. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the
relatives for up to 10 years now, I seek the consent to present you as
the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last names, so
that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.

Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss
the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary
information and legal documents needed to back you up for the claim.
All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see
this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the
law. On your interest ,Let me hear from you Along with your direct
Telephone Number For Easy Communications. Urgent response to this
letter will be proudly appreciated. Note: This transaction must be
kept confidential i.e Top Secret.{barristerbonvin41@gmail.com}

Best Regards.
Barrister Andre Bonvin
Founder of Bonvin Legal Chambers Benin

Anti-fraud resources: