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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 Walter Santos" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <antoswa1@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2016 19:55:24 -0700
Subject: GET BACK TO ME ASAP

Attn'       
I am the chairman of diplomatic money transfer unit,working with Reliance  Bank.London.
We had a customer with our bank,that bearssame last name with you. He died in a car accident with his family last  2 years  together with his only son ,whom he used as his next of kin when he deposited $10m  with our bank.
 
I shall  send to you via email attachment,copy of his death certificate and deposit certificate,which was issued to him when he deposited the $10m with Reliance  Bank  for your records and information.
I was advised by the bank,to get his next of kin,before the funds will be returned into our federal reserve account. I have also gone to his Embassy and got the information that he has no relation.
 
In lieu of the time constraints,I  have discussed  with the chairman of facts finding committee  and International relation's Manager regarding my findings,which we have agreed to keep our fingers crossed.
If you are interested,We shall secure a lawyer to act as your representative and also secure a leeter of Administration,from the court in your name, making you the next of kin,  since you bear same last name with him.The Lawyer will not know the root of the transaction since most lawyer's are very selfish.
 
This transaction is very risk free. Please, get back to me,if you are interested to enable me, send the above mentioned certificates to you, the deposit certificate and the death certificate for your verification.
 
Please,feel very free to ask me any question for more clarification. and 40% belongs to you while 60% belongs to me and other officials.
The mode of payment via Reliance Bank , upon presentation of the Administration letter on your behalf as the Next of kin through the Lawyer here, should be bank to bank tansfer or via A.T.M card with the secret code.
 
I await your response, also your direct telephone number is needed for easy communication.
 
Best regards,
 
Mr Walter Santos

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