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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: Barrister Frank Martins <frankmartins@btdt3.com>
Reply-To: frankmartins10@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 01:28:07 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Will Beneficiary.

MANAGING PARTNER
Frank Martins. & SOLICITORS
Third Floor Thavies Inn House,
3-4 Holborn Circus
Lagos-Nigeria.

Will Beneficiary.

I am sorry for contacting you through this medium without a previous notice; I had to use the E-mail because it is an easier and more confidential way of making contact with people around the world. My name is Barrister Frank Martins, 45 years old Attorney in practice here in Nigeria. I had a client by name Mr. William Wise an IT specialist based here in Nigeria, now deceased. My client lost his life alongside his family on the 7th of July 2009 on a auto accident here in Nigeria. Prior to the Death of my Late Client he made a fixed deposit of US$28.5 Million in one of the local bank in Nigeria.


As his personal Attorney before his death, I have been officially notified and instructed by the bank here in Nigeria where the money is currently deposited that I should provide and forward the particulars of Mr. Williams next of kin so that the Funds in his Account can be release to his Next of Kin in accordance with Nigeria Laws.

However, as the personal attorney and close confidant of late Mr.William,I want you to know that My late Client died intestate,i.e,He died without leaving a Will.Hence,all my efforts to locate any of his relative whom I can present to the bank has proved abortive. Therefore I am seeking for your consent to present you as the deceased relative/next of kin and subsequently the beneficiary of the fund so that the proceed of this account valued at US$28.5 Million can be paid to you for subsequent disbursement between you and I.


If you can cooperate with me and receive these funds as next of kin to Mr.William, please confirm your interest by contacting me through my email. I can assure you that the deal is 100% risk free because I am in possession of the deceased personal file which contains all information which I shall use to prove your relationship with the deceased therefore the money will be paid to whomever I present as Mr. William’s Next of kin with proofs that I will present to the bank when needed.

When I receive a positive response and after proper discussion with you, I will furnish you all relevant information that will facilitate the release of the Funds to you An Application of claims will have to be filed to the bank for processing of the release of the Funds to you as the beneficiary.


While replying include your information as below stated:

Your full names:
Your full address:
Your telephone number:
Your age:
Your occupation.

Thanking you in anticipation for your favorable response.

Barrister Frank Martins.

Anti-fraud resources: