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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: "Matthew Brown" <matbrown_5@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: matbrown_777@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 08:59:48 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT/CONFIDENTIAL...

From: Mr. Matthew Brown
Reply Email: matbrown_777@yahoo.com

TREAT AS URGENT/CONFIDENTIAL.

Pls,

In our search for a trustworthy individual to work with us on a very
important and confidential project, we came across your profile in The
British Chambers of Commerce and Industries, here in THE UNITED KINGDOM.

My name is MATTHEW BROWN, Principal Executive Officer, Audit Department,
National Westminster Bank Plc. (NATWEST) here in The United Kingdom. During
the yearly preliminary in-house auditing of accounts, I discovered an
account opened in 2000 and since 2004 has remained dormant and has not been
operated till date. The total amount in this account is £14.5Million Pound
Sterling less accrued interest.

Working In-collaboration with the Audit Manager, we decided to investigate
this account for more information. We discovered that the owner of this
account, a foreigner has died intestate leaving no heirs or next of kin who
could make a claim.

Presently, we are the only two people in our organization with access to
this information and we have decided to keep it that way and claim the money
for ourselves using a third party who will take the place of the deceased
(next of kin). We will supply the necessary information on the deceased and
ensure that the claim application is giving immediate approval. Documents
like the death certificate will be arranged and forwarded to you for onward
submission to the bank.

The project is risk-free as we will use contacts that hold strategic
positions in the bank to effect a successful completion of the project and
also ensure that all traces of our mutual involvement are completely wiped
off. These presents no problem as all documented evidence will be directly
under their supervision.

We have earmarked a commission of 25% of the total amount for you. A further
5% will be set aside to cover expenses on both sides, which will include
expenses incurred in processing this claim. The remaining 70% you will help
us invest in profitable Stocks and Shares in your country. We would like to
get your decision to this proposal as soon as possible. On receipt of your
decision, we will fax or email you explicit details of the already completed
groundwork on this project.

You can contact me at all times on the above
information.matbrown_777@yahoo.com


Regards,


Matthew.

_________________________________________________________________
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