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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.William Douglas <williamdouglas_81@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2014 15:10:45 +0900 (KST)
Subject: Investment Banking 08/07/2014


Hello,

I am Mr.William Douglas a branch manager in one of the reputable bank here in London.In one of our periodic auditing I discovered a dormant accounts with holding balance of Thirty Eight Million Great British Pounds ₤ 38,000,000.00

The Fund has not been operated for the past 14 years From my investigations and confirmations, the owner of this account is a foreigner who died long ago in air crash since July 31st 2000 since then nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money because he has no family members who are aware of the existence of neither the account nor the funds.

For more information about the crash you can visit this site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm ;


I have secretly discussed this matter with a top senior official of the Federal Ministry of Finance here and we have agreed to find a reliable foreign partner to deal with us although due to his position he did not want to take active part but as soon as you follow my instructions everything will be successful because we will be working hand in hand with him. With this purpose to do business with you, standing in as the next of kin of these funds from the deceased and after due legal processes have been followed the fund will be released to your account without delay and we will use it for investment and to assist the less privileged in the societies because if we left the fund with the government it will be fortified for nothing and will be used to suppress the poor masses in the society.


This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other illegal act. Finally, I will give you 50% for your cooperation


On receipt of your response I will furnish you with detailed clarification as it relates to this mutual benefit transaction. Do contact me immediately whether or not you are interested in this deal. If you are not, it will enable me scout for another foreign Partner to carry out this deal. But where you are interested, contact me URGENTLY for more details as time is of the essence in this business.


Regards,

Mr.William Douglas.



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