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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: Avocat Jean Pascal Symenou <m_aikpon@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: avocatjeanpascalsymenou@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:30:02 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Mieke van Rooij


Avocat Jean Pascal Symenou
BP 5959 Cot Comé Mono
Benin Republic, West Africa.
Telephone: +229 99 94 66 16.
 
ATTN: Rooij   
 
  I must apologize for this unsolicited message and for the surprise reading from someone relatively unknown. This message is strictly confidential and for mutual benefit between you and I and nothing more.
 
I am Avocat Jean Pascal Symenou, the attorney to Late Dr. Michael  Rooij, a national of your country and a former Director ( BENIN SCAPHANDRIERS S.A.R.L.  ) an Oil & Petroleum servicing and distribution company base in Benin Republic West Africa ,Here in after shall be referred to as my client.
 
On Friday, 26th May 2006, my client and his entire family were involved in Benin petrol tanker explosion that caught fire as people were siphoning petrol, killing at least 54 people and dozens injured including my client and his entire family as the where driving home from weekend shopping on visiting their site where people were siphoning petrol, the tanker caught fire and explode. His family died instantly, after two days He later died at Saint Thomas Hospital Cotonou, Benin.
 
 Read more details about the tanker explosion on this website:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200605260617.html
 
Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.
 
 I decided to track His last name over the Internet, hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank here.  These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the "BANQUE ATLANTIQUE DU BENIN (BAB)" An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at about $14.5 million dollars.
 
The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over 3 years now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $14.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can Share the money 50% to me and 50% to you. I will made all necessary legal documents available that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through.
 
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. And the way we are going to achieve this is, I will need the following information from you,
 
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age, Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and  Mobile  for   Communication Purpose.
 
I await your reply ASAP.
 
Best Regards,
Avocat Jean Pascal Symenou.



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