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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: Janet Shawn <shawnjanet6@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2023 20:21:47 +0100
Subject: HELLO

Hello respected friend,
My name is Barr. Jeffrey I. Ferguson ( Esq), a solicitor at law. I have my
deceased client who is from your country, He works with Shell Oil Company
in Turkey, On 11th of March 2013, my client, his wife and their three
children were involved in a train accident in Spain. Unfortunately, all of
them lost their lives.

Since then I have made several inquiries to your countries embassy to
locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved
unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his
last name over the Internet, to locate anyone who has the same last name,
hence I contacted you.
I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client before they get the confiscated order cleared on
serviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged.
Particularly, the bank where the deceased had a Deposit valued at about
(US$70,000,000.00 ) has issued to me a notice to provide the next of kin or
have the Deposit confiscated within the next Ninety(90) official working
days.
Hence I have been unsuccessfully in locating the relatives for over 1 year
now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this Deposit
valued at (US$70,000,000.00) can be paid/release to you and then you and me
will share the money 60% for me and 40% for you, I have all necessary legal
documents that covered the Deposit hence all I require are your honest
co-operation to enable us see this deal through.
I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get back to me to
enable us to discuss Further. If you wish to see the video, i can make it
available for you to watch.

NAME: BARR. JEFFREY I. FERGUSON (ESQ)
EMAIL: barrjeffreyiferguson@gmail.com


Best regards,
Barr. Jeffrey I. Ferguson ( Esq),

Anti-fraud resources: