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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: "Anthony Powell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <anthonyppowell45@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:33:28 -0700
Subject: CONTACTING YOU AGAIN

Dear Friend,

I was worried when I did not hear from. This is my second letter to you, my name is Thomas Hermes, and I am an attorney, working with the reputable legal firm. I am contacting you because you share the same last name with my late client. He was a personal client of mine and I managed all his legal affairs.

As of today, I stand as a true custodian to the cash deposit, which he made in a Financial organization. I have faced with the task of getting someone who can stand as his beneficiary, who will be permitted to claim the fund.
williams Oprah: The amount deposited is Ten Million six Hundred Thousand British pounds Sterling, and the Financial Organization is ready to release the money to whomever I present as the true fund beneficiary and next-of-kin to my late client. Because my late client accorded me with a Letter of Authority (Power of Attorney) duly endorsed in the British High Court of Justice, when he made the deposit, to act on his behalf in times of his absence and inability to act, and I was his legal advising counselor on the deposit and other issues.

The Financial Organization where my client deposited the fund currently demands that I quickly provide a beneficiary of the fund because the deposit duration has expired and needs a renewal or withdrawal from their company otherwise it.
williams Oprah: If you feel we can work out the funds together quickly send me your names in full, your contact address, your contact telephone number and I will get back to you with details of the transaction.

Best regards,
Thomas Hermes LLB.
Tel: 0044 703 183 3539

Anti-fraud resources: