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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: "Mr. Herbert Coutts" <mrherbert1975@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:53:00 +0600
Subject: From: Mr. Herbert Coutts

From: Mr. Herbert Coutts
Scotland Bank London, Level 9 (G2)
Tel/Fax: +44 2070842282


“RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHMENT & DEAL NOTIFICATION”

I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to
starting a relationship but I believe knowing each other starts from a
step of which I believe I am not making a mistake exposing this very
important business deal to you?

Firstly, let me identify myself without any intention of
equivocation,I am Mr. Herbert Coutts, from Bank Of Scotland and an
Executive Consultant Officer in the International Remittance
Department. Your quick response is needed in this “Business Deal” that
will benefit both of us without any risk involved either now or
later, I will be happy if we can do business together in good faith
and this proposal will be of mutual benefit for us. I have a
transaction deal in the tune of £52,954,000.00 {Fifty Two Million Nine
Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand British Pounds Sterling} to be
transferred to any possible safe account with your good assistance.. I
have every possibility & advantages for the proceeds of this fund to
be paid to your account.

I had discussed this issue privately with the Top Bank
Director and he agreed to help and have instructed me to look for a
foreigner who can be trusted and capable to handle this transaction so
that we can secretly move this money out from UK immediately basing on
Investments plans in your Country. I guarantee that this will be
executed under a concrete special arrangement that will protect us
from any breach of law. I will not fail to bring to your notice that
this transaction is hitch-free and you should not entertain any fears
as the required arrangements have been made for the completion of this
operation.

Your assistance as a foreigner is necessary because the management of
the bank will welcome any foreigner who has correct information to
this account which I will give to you immediately, We will start the
first transfer with Thirty Two Million {£32,000,000.00}.Upon
successful transfer without any disappointment from your side, we
shall re-apply for the payment of the remaining balance of {£20,
954,000.00} to your account. I am only contacting you as a foreigner
because this money cannot be approved to a local person here due to
law in United Kingdom.

This money was secretly deposited and placed for an Investment
before the late holder died and none of his families or relatives
knows about this money, I came across this great fortune during an
annual pre-audition. If you can be trusted and capable to handle this
business with me in full confidence & trust, please send me the
following information for documentation preparation and also give me
your word of confidence that we will work as one team and I will get
in return what belongs to me after successful transmission this
operation :

At the conclusion of this transaction, your total share will be 40% of
the total transfer sum,while 60% for me and my partners who is helping
in making this successful.

If you are interested, please forward the following information as
below:

(1). Full names:
(2). Private phone numbers:
(3). Current residential address:
(4). Occupation:
(5). Age and Sex:

{6}.Your Full Banking Coordinates as follows.
Bank Name:
Bank Address:
Account No:
Account Holder's Name:

More Information about yourself ETC.

I look forward hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Herbert Coutts

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