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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "philip freeman" <barr_philipfreeman101@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 20:31:35 +0000
Subject: Barr. Philip Freeman

Barr. Philip Freeman
Barrister PhilipFreeman & Associates
Email: philipfreeman101@yahoo.co.uk
13 Dale House
London SE162PT
United Kingdom


I am Barrister Philip Freeman an attorney to Christian Eicht Mason,
a deceased Immigrant. property magnate who was based in the U.K.,
Also referred to as my client.

On the 25th of July 2000, my client, his wife and their two
Children died in the Air France concord plane crash bound for
New York in their plan for a world cruise,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Since then I have been managing his properties here in the U.K.
and some of his properties, which he put out for sale. Which I
monitored the payment as his attorney, has been bought and paid
for. Now the money paid was deposited into his Local account
here. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money
and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated
or declared unserviceable by his bank.

Particularly, the bank has issued me a notice to provide any
of his next of kin or have the account confiscated within a
short time. My late client has an account valued at 15.5 million
dollars. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives
for some time now, and with the bank giving me deadline, I now
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at 15.5
million dollars can be paid to you and then you, and I can share
the money. 50% to me and 40% for you and 10% for miscellaneous
expenses that might arise. I have all necessary information that
can be used to back up any Claim we may make.

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this
deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of
the law. Trust me, as his attorney, this is a risk-free
relationship.

Please reach me on my confidential email address below :
philipfreeman101@yahoo.co.uk
and send me your full names and address,
telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about
this transaction.

Best regards,

Barr. Philip Freeman
Email: philipfreeman101@yahoo.co.uk


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