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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: "MRS ELSPETH MCPHAIL" <info@bebfederica.it>
Reply-To: mrs.elspethmcphail@accountant.com
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2015 05:37:57 +1100
Subject: Business Proposal

MRS ELSPETH MCPHAIL
CREDIT ACCOUNTS OFFICER
BANK OF AMERICA Abingdon, VA. U.S.A

Good Day,
This is a proposal in context but actually an appeal soliciting for your unreserved assistance in consummating an urgent transaction requiring maximum confidence. Though this approach appears desperate,I can assure you that whatever questions you would need to ask or any other thing you will need to know regarding this proposal, will be adequately answered to give you a clearer understanding of it so as to arrive at a successful conclusion.

Let me start by introducing myself,I am MRS ELSPETH MCPHAIL,CREDIT ACCOUNTS OFFICER BANK OF AMERICA Abingdon, VA. U.S.A I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at my bank,which I will like to bring to your personal edification. I am writing you this letter with so much joy and excitement even though my heart goes out to the very powerful and distinguished gentleman who I was fortunate to have worked for and extremely privileged to have known for numerous years. I am a top official in charge of client accounts in BANK OF AMERICA Abingdon(BRANCH)VA. U.S.A


In 2010, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United States Of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament,my client came to me with a very brilliant idea. He transferred some funds, ten million Five hundred thousand dollars(usd10.5m) to a fixed deposit account in my bank under an alias which only the two of us knew about as the confidentiality of the matter was necessary for his protection. Due to his untimely death in early 2013, the funds have been sitting in the account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually unless we do something about it. This is where you come in,my client did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our client so that you will be able to receive his funds.

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we can come out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to my client.All that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be provided by you.There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.

The allocation of our money will be as follows: 20%($2.05M) to you for your part in this, 75% for me and my partners and 5% for any unforeseeable expenses we may incur. I think this is extremely fair, as you have nothing to lose but just a little time, while on the other hand I am staking my flawless reputation among other things. And besides $2.05 million is no
pocket change. Once you are approved, the entire transaction should take no longer than ten business days after which we will go about our daily business, but just millions of dollars richer.

As you can see this is easier than taking candy from a baby but mind you,trust is something that is developed over time and that is something that we do not have. So I have to let you know that it will be highly unfeasible to try to run away with the money because even though only you can transfer money in and out of your account, the transfer can only be authorized by my department of which i happen to be the head.The money will be transfered from my bank to an account you will provide. So please,there should be no room for greed because ten million two hundred thousand dollars can quench even the most insatiable desire for the almighty dollar.

Again, i will be in charge of everything else. I will assume all responsibilities for this endeavor so you don’t have to worry about any legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money. If interested,I would want you to send your reply back to me Your urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me for more details on this transaction as soon as possible.This should be kept very secret and confidential… I believe you know.

kind Regards
MRS ELSPETH MCPHAIL esq

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