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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr.Howard Miller." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hmiller2040@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:47:21 +0200
Subject: Greeting To You

>From the desk: Barrister Howard Miller (Esq)
Powertek 25 Cornwallis Road
Lome, Republic of Togo

Greeting ,

I am Howard Miller,barrister at law.A deceased client of mine,who here in after shall be referred to as my client,died as the result of a heart-related condition in March 12th 2005. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the tsunami disaster on the 26th December 2004 in Sumatra Indonesia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared on serviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at $9million dollars is lodged. This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin,or the account will be confiscated.My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my late client,so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next of kin will be secured gradually and forwarded to you. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values,do accept my apology.Please contact me at once to indicate your interest.

Regards,
Barr.Howard Miller.
Senior Advocate/Solicitor.

Anti-fraud resources: