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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: "William Phillips (III)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <william.phillips@alainpatenaude-ca.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2013 10:11:33 -0600
Subject: Re: DID YOU RECEIVE ALL THE EMAILS I HAVE BEIGN SENDING TO YOU?

Dear Sir / Mdm
 
 
Greetings From Mr.William Phillips
 
I have beign trying to reach you since December 2012 without success,I do not know if you received all the emails I sent you ? Well I am writing you again because i know the Christmas holiday is over therefore I am sure you will have the time to check your email regularly now.I am an American and currently,I am based in Europe ,I work with a financial instituion in Europe.
 
 
I have the opportunity of transferring a substantial amount of money to you from the bank I work with. The money was deposited in our bank in United Kingdom a few years back by a wealthy contractor who is now deceased and fortunately you have the same SURNAME with the depositor.Considering the fact that the depositor has no traceable relative who will eventually apply for the claim, I decided to contact you so that you can apply for claim "WITH MY ASSISTANCE" and take custody of the funds for our mutual benefit. I will not mention the amount of money which runs into millions of USDollars presently neither will I mention the name of the bank I work with in Europe until I am sure you have agreed to deal. I trust you will understand the need for such precautions.
 
 
Please note; in 2001, I succeeded in claiming $32million from the same bank with the help of an American like me, but by the time I went to receive my share of the money from her 2 days after the money was released into her account, she had changed her home address and moved out of CALIFORNIA to another state and till date, I am still searching for her. But because it was a deal and confidential matter, I could not seek legal action against her or even inform the authorities. So to ensure that I do not make the same MISTAKE I made in 2001, I will have to meet with you physically for discussion before we can proceed with the deal.
 
 
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MY PROPOSAL IS NOT A HOAX, AS I AM READY TO PROVE MY IDENTITY TO YOU AND THE REALITY OF THE DEAL WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS.I AM SURE OF SUCCESS IN THIS DEAL BECAUSE I HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE. For more details, here is my direct contact email ID : william.phillips@alainpatenaude-ca.com .You can also call me on my Director mobile phone :+44 704 5777 868.I can be reached on this number any time of the day 24/7 regardless of the day or time you wish to call.
Thank you in anticipation as I wait to receive your response.
 
 
Mr.William Phillips
Direct Phone : +44 704 5777 868
Direct Email : william.phillips@alainpatenaude-ca.com
London United Kingdom
 

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