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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: CHARLES JONES <glorykone2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: charljones56@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:48:32 +0100
Subject: Good day

I am deeply sorry for taking you unawares with this mail and I know
there will be absolutely a great doubt with distrust in your heart to
this mail, but I must surely reach out to you as a person of
transparency, honesty and high reputability. Besides, I used my Yahoo
address for confidential purposes.

I introduce myself as CHARLES JONES from Benin Republic. I also
represent the branch manager of DIAMOND BANK S.A Port Novo branch and
the account manager to my late client, Mrs. Anna from your country,
who might or might not be related to you. Unfortunately, she was
infected with the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) during her successful
five weeks business trip to China on the 28th of December, 2020 and
she sadly passed away on March 20th 2021.

The late Mrs. Anna left the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand
(3.5) United States dollars in our bank. She specifically confided in
me before her death that the fund was for a project and that no one
else knows about the fund except me. Presently, deceased funds/assets
in the bank are recycled after one year if no relation of the deceased
client comes for claim. Then, the deceased assets will be reported to
the central bank, where the greedy government will then want to have
their hands on the fund.

Here is where you are needed since no one knows about the fund and you
bear the same last name with our late client, I want you to stand as
her next of kin for claim. I promise you that if you agree to assist
in claiming these funds from my Bank, we'll not bridge the law in any
way because I will be your eyes and ears here in the Bank. All
necessary official documentation will legally be secure in your name
accordingly and the fund will be shared equally (50-50), when finally
credited in your account.

I look forward to receiving your valued response.
Yours sincerely,

CHARLES JONES
Diamond Bank S.A.
Port Novo Branch
Republic of Benin

Anti-fraud resources: