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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: "alejodonato@adinet.com.uy" <alejodonato@adinet.com.uy>
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:15:54 -0300 (UYT)
Subject: Business Offer / Urgent Response Needed

Dear Sir/Madam,


My name is Mr. Alejo Fuastino Donato, I am a lawyer here in Madrid Spain. My
late client was a private oil consultant/ contractor with the Shell Petroleum
Development Company in Malaysia before he died. His death was as a result of
heart failure due to the death of his wife and three children in the tsunami
natural disaster on 26th December 2004 in Sumatra Indonesia. It may interest
you to know that my client died "intestate".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake


PROPOSITION:

I decided to contact you purely on the personal conviction of trust and
confidence to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client. The
deceased had a deposit valued presently at (USD$6.200, 000:00) and the
financial institution has issued me a notice to provide his next of kin or
beneficiary by will, otherwise the account would be confiscated. My proposition
to you is to seek your consent to present you as a relative/next-of-kin and
beneficiary of my client, so that the proceeds could be release and paid to
you.

Then we can share the amount involve by percentage upon our strong
understanding. However, be rest assured, with my legal position, I will handle
this transaction in your name to ensure you claim this fund for our own
benefit. All I need is your willingness and interest to handle this transaction
in good faith.

Once again, be confident; count on my legal ability to perfect this transaction
legally that will protect you from any breach of the law. Meanwhile, if this
business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Please
kindly keep this proposal confidential, while I await your prompt response.


Please contact me as soon as you receive this letter to confirm your interest.


Best regards,
Name: Mr. Alejo Fuastino Donato.
Email: alejofdonato@lawyer.com
Date: 24/04/12

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