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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: "Mr LUIS PEDRO" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 17:52:26 +0100
Subject: asociado


Luis Romero Pedro Asociados
For: Banco Caixa Catalunña.
64 Rambla de Cataluña,Barcelona- Spain.
Email: mdpedro@consultant.com
Tel/fax: 0034 632244423


From: Mr Luis R. Pedro

This is a confidential message from Mr Luis R. Pedro & Asociados, a private consulting firm in Spain. I have been directed to contact you with regards to ongoing investigations involving a deceased client of Banco Caixa Catalunña. The client, who shared the same family name with you, died intestate so it is standard and mandatory that a next of kin be sought who may inherit the estate. Are you aware of any relative of yours whose last known contact address was in Barcelona -Spain, with investments of considerable value of $10,000.000.00 United States Dollars with Banco Caixa Cataluña.

Documentation regarding these indicates that claims must be to his relative/family member! The deceased who died along with his family by car accident unfortunately, died without will. It has been called to my attention that the new Spanish law of succession/claims indicates a duration in which such claims could be tolerated. I have recently been mandated by the institution demanding me to present a relative of the deceased whom could be the next of kin/beneficiary of the said funds. Failure to respond to this ultimatum would legally allow the financial institute to report these funds to the central bank of Spain as unclaimed funds (Lack of Supersede) i have succeeded in almost all the necessary requirements concerning the release of this funds and it is my intention to introduce this opportunity to you as the beneficiary. Please note that I am legally equipped and I have all the necessary documentations for the claiming of the estate. Bear it in mind that you might be required to travel down to Madrid-Spain

We will need to hear from you urgently and hope you can assist us in bringing this inquiry to a conclusion. Please respond to my private email [mdpedro@consultant.com] as soon as possible to afford us the opportunity to close this investigation. Thank you for accommodating our enquiries.

Yours sincerely,
Mr. Luis Romero Pedro


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