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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: David Livingstone <davidlivingstone1366@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <goldstarfin@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:22:31 -0400
Subject: URGENT



PLEASE REPLY YOUR MAIL TO id:goldstarfin@yahoo.com

From;Barrister David Livingstone Dear sir
lam Barrister David Livingstone a solicitor at law.lam the personal attorney to (ENGR.John. K. )a national of your country, who used to work as chief enginer with oil Company in Ghana.Here in after shall be referred to as his client. On the 21st of April 2003, my client,and the wife and three of their children were involved in a car accident in Ghana.All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then l have made several enquiry to his embassy to locate any of his clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.
Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about US$17.5 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$17.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 50% to me and 40% and 10% will be set aside for any expenses that may be incured during the transaction. All I require is your honest cooperation 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. Please get in touch with me by my email and send to me your FULL NAME and ADDRESS,TELEPHONE and FAX NUMBERS including your PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH,AGE,OCCUPATION to enable us discuss further about this transaction. furthermore,no risk is involved in the business,you are 100% risk free.It will last for 10 working days. Waiting for your urgent response. God bless you.Best regards,Barrister David Livingstone
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