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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: "Abd Halim Saifuddin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristerabdhalimsaifuddin@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:54:16 +0100
Subject: Private and confidential message for you

Abd Halim Saifuddin & Associates
Barrister Abd Halim Saifuddin
Advocates and Solicitors Malaysia
Office No. 10, 1st Floor,
Pusat Perniagaan Putra,
Kelang Lama 09000 Kulim Malaysia.
 
 
Hello Sir/Madam,
 
 
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I am very sorry for the informal manner in which this letter is reaching you as it was necessitated by my urgent need to get your response. I am Abd Halim Saifuddin from Malaysia, an Attorney at law.
 
 
I am an attorney to Late Mr. Alexandra Kim, a citizen of your country, who was a contractor with Shell Malaysia Ltd, was born in 1954 and died as a result of a heart-related condition on the 12th July, 2007.
 
 
I got your mail through my private search and out of Desperation I decided to reach you through this medium. Late Mr. Alexandra Kim deposited Twenty six million eight hundred and fourty two thousand United States Dollars in a bank here in Malaysia and I want to invest this money in your country.
 
 
The need to move out this money arose when it was announce that some of the money held in dormant accounts for years without claim would be used for youth and community projects.I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regard. Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
 
 
 
(1) Can I completely trust you?
(2) I am ready to offer you 40% of this (Twenty six million eight hundred and fourty two thousand United States) I hope it is acceptable by you? And I will take 55% and have 5% set aside for all the expenses doing the process of the transaction.
 
 
My dear, I honestly know that the process of this transaction will cost money, and that is the reason why I offered you 40% of the total sun for your role and contribution towards this transaction. I will like us to work collectively is one partner with good understanding and trust to see the transaction through successfully. Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible for more details.
 
 
Thank you so much.
 
 
Best Regards,
Barrister Abd Halim Saifuddin,
[Principal Attorney.]

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