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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: "Paul Timi Williams." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ptwilliams65@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:34:25 -0700
Subject: Re: Dear Friend, Greetings to you, Please can I secure your help in this transaction?

From: Mr Paul Timi Williams,
Solicitors & Advocates/ Notary Public.
Private/Coporate Attorneys.
P.T WILLIAMS & CO. CHAMBERS.
Tel: +234-70-28508737.
 
My dear,
My name is Mr Paul Timi Williams,attorney-at-law  (MR. TIMI WILLIAMS, for short) 
Considering the nature of this matter I do understand that my request may engender some kind of  misgivings and  come to you as a surprise. I sincerely regret and apologize for whatever misgiving or inconvenience my contacting you unsolicited may cause you. At the same time I appeal  for your  consideration to spare a thought on  my request since this will be of some  benefit to us.
 
I am writing to request your assistance to partner with me for the  transfer of the sum of US$6.250.000.00(Six Million,Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars only) in your favor as a Next of Kin to a Foreign deceased client of mine.
 
This amount of money was  deposited in a Mortgage Finance House by  Late Mr Lee Bae, a Foreign Client of mine who when he  was alive worked with Tang Engineering Construction  Company(TECC), a  Building  and Road Construction Company here. My Client, Late Mr Lee Bae was a South Korean  national whom our legal status here classified as a Foreign Expartriate Worker.
 
Late Mr Lee Bae died as a result of complicated Liver problems associated with cigarette smoking and heavy drinking habits.
 
At the time of death, Late Mr Lee Bae  has no known legal wife but  lived with a Ghanaian  Lady who was not  married to him and they had no kids. The lady left after Mr Lee Bae died and was buried but  has no knowledge that I assisted Late Mr Lee Bae open a deposite account with the Mortgage Finance Bank.
 
For the fact that my Client, Mr Lee Bae has no known or identifiable next of Kin at the time of depositing this US$6.250Million(Six Million,Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars only), and for the fact that no known Next of Kin has shown up since 3 years after his  demise I am therefore seeking your help and  consent  to present you as the deceased Next of Kin for the payment of his funds deposited in the Finance House.
We shall process the  legal documents that will support and establish you as the Next of Kin legally  qualified  and empowered  by law to receive the payment as the laws of estate( inheritance) requires here.
Mr Lee Bae died INESTATE, that is without a WILL. To reclaim his deposited funds, I as his attorney, is required by law to present a legal beneficiary through the instrumentality of the law for the funds to be released to the Next of Kin.
 
I am assuring you that with the supporting  legal documents in place the bank will recognize  and accept you  as the  bonafide and legally qualified beneficiary to receive the payment as the Next of Kin. I am also giving you my assurance and guarantee that  the transfer of the funds in your favor shall  be legally done without any fear of contravening or  violating the law.
 
You are going to provide the banking information where the US$6,250,000.00 will be transferred.You can either open a new bank account we are to use , or if you have an existing bank account you feel in your consideration we can use still it will be accepted.
 
I will appreciate if you would reply me with your reliable and direct Telephone number so that I can contact you for  discussion and  further explanation on how we can proceed.
 
Please it is germain to emphasize  here that I need a trust worthy person who will not betray me or seize the money alone after the transfer is made in your favor
 
We shall  have the money  60% - 40%. That is , I will have 60% while you take 40%.This ratio is fair enough  for us to cooperate and  work harmoniously  together for success to retrieve the funds.
 
If you are interested to help and work with me for us to rescue the funds from the  bank I shall  welcome any question you may have for me if there is anything you do not understand clearly in this request so that I can respond with  further explanation .
You can also reply through my alternative Email:ptwilliams65@sify.com
 
Thanking you for your understanding and consideration of my request.
Yours Sincerely,
 
Mr Paul Timi Williams  Esq.

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