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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "CHARLES STANLEY" <charlesstanley000101@gmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2011 13:41:45 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Graham Robert trust fund
In regard to the Graham Robert pending trust fund amounting to
(155,600,000 USD) willed to you for the purpose of charity, i have again
been contacted by the British High regarding the confiscation threat.
The British high court that was almost mentioned in the Graham Robert will
as the second contender of the Graham Robert trust fund if eventually the
beneficiary is not able or willing to claim the Graham Robert fund that
was will to you for the purpose of charity. The graham Robert will made it
clear that if after a period of time the fund is not transferred, then it
should be confiscated by the British high court on grounds of incompetence
on the part of the beneficiary.
The British high court has always insist that it’s not their intention to
confiscate the funds but they can’t imagine why the delay considering the
amount of money involved and the purpose of the fund (Charity) which they
expect every reasonable person should embrace. To this end they have
advised that you inform me of the major reason for this delay bearing in
mind that exactly (20th/12/2011) of this month, they will confiscate the
funds if the fund is not transferred by that date or if tangible reasons
are not given as to the cause of delay for this transaction.
They have also informed me of the need for you to provide your active
phone number so they can contact you via phone call for more explanation
to that effect. I enjoin you to kindly treat this email as serious as you
are likely to forfeit this transaction if proper actions are not taken.
I await your response to this effect.
Have a nice day
Charles Stanley.
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Anti-fraud resources:
