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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: "barrister les b" <barristerles_b@msn.com>
Reply-To: barrister_lesb@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 19:14:20 +0000
Subject: Take care and have a great day

Dear Friend,

I am very sure that this mail will bring lots of surprises and curiosity to
you since there was no previous correspondence before now between us. I am
BARRISTER LES B . a solicitor at law to late Egr. MARK MILL, a late Germany
businessman based in the United Kingdom.

As the attorney to late Egr. MARK MILL, I was his confidant as he shared
with me virtually everything about himself, his family and his business. I
was his attorney for 15yrs and during that period I wrote his will and was
also named as the executor, which has since been fulfilled after his demise.
I am also aware due to my closeness to him that the amount eighteen million
British pounds (18,000,000) deposited with a bank in Europe was not willed
out. He told me of this on his sick bed and even instructed me to prepare a
codicil to that effect. However, before I could finish he passed on. After
his funeral and execution of his will, I launched an investigation through
his personal assistance to ascertain the information at my disposal and
found out there is no next of kin to the fund (18,000,000) British pounds.
It is necessary for me to move the money out of the bank before the bank
regard it as sundry expenses, which gives them the right to claim the money.

I cannot move the money in my name because he is my client. Neither can the
personal assistance do that, for it could arise suspicion. Hence soliciting
for your assistance is inevitable. I hereby solicit for your assistance and
consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the
proceeds of this account valued at eighteen million British pounds
(18,000,000) can be paid to you. I am ready to concede up to 37% of the fund
to you as your share if you will help me pull the funds through your
account. I will secure all necessary documents to back up our claim. I will
be responsible for securing letter of administration without will from the
probate and personally apply on your behalf to the bank for the release of
the funds to you. I guarantee that this will be done under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. Have my assurance
that there is nothing to fear about, as I also need your assurance that you
will work with me with utmost good faith and confidentiality.

In the light of above, the following will be required to achieve this goal,

Names_____________
Address____________
Date of Birth__________
Telephone and Fax numbers__________

Your positive response is a key to the successful completion of this
transfer. I look forward to hearing from you through my email.

Take care and have a great day. call me+447024062651


Sincerely,

LES .B.

Barrister & Associates



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