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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrjamesbrown11@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 12:54:07 +0100
Subject: I am waiting for your urgent reply

Attention:
 
My name is Mr. James Brown a lawyer. I am a British. I contacted you before regarding an estate claim of my late client Mr. Donald Kscknozki from Russia. Mr. Donald Kscknozki was a well known Russian Oil Merchant and died as a result of a long protracted cancer of the lungs. Before my clients death, he was an active oil business merchant and a well known hunman rights activist.
 
Mr. Donald Kscknozki made a security deposit of Seven million two hundred and twenty five thousand United States dollars only with a reputable bank here in London known as United Trust Bank, during this period I was his lawyer and under signed all neccessary documents relating to this deposit unbehalf of my client. The Deposit was made on a Friday 20th of April 2007.
 
Unfortunately as a result of my clients health condition he died on 13th of August 2009 at the Apollo Cancer Institute in India where he was under going medical treatment. At present the bank has written a letter to me stating maturity of the deposit made  by my late client. I am contacting you on a mutual business interest to stand in as a next of kin to late  Mr. Donald Kscknozki estate so that the deposit made by my late client can be paid to you, all necessary documents to ascertain the legitimacy of your claim will be obtained under the confines of the law.
 
Please I need your response as soon as possible to enable me file an application on your name establishing claim on your behalf as the next of kin and beneficiary to the account deposit of late Mr. Donald Kscknozki. Upon receipt of your mail we shall discuss benefits that will be attached to each of us after the transaction.
 
I am waiting for your urgent reply.
 
Thanks
Mr. James Brown, LLB.

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