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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: "Mahmoud hadi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mh4284676@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2017 02:54:54 -0800
Subject: Re:HELLO

Hello Dear,

I have been in search of someone with similar surname as yours, so when I saw you online, I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am Mr. Mahmoud Hadi, a Bank Officer here in U.A.E. I believe it is a great opportunity for me to come across you now. I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

One Late Michael, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2009 for 60 calendar months, valued at US$10,100,000.00 (Ten Million, One Hundred Thousand US Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was 22nd of March 2014. Sadly Michael was among the death victims in Earthquake disaster that occurred in the off coast of central Chile on Saturday, 27 February 2010 that killed over 800 people. He was in Chile on a business trip and that was how he met his end. My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer. Michael did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children.

Last week my Bank Management requested that Michael should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happen to know that Michael is dead and do not have any Heir, they will declare the fund as unclaimed and confiscate/divert the funds for their selfish/personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your last name, I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last surname with him and my bank head quarters will release the funds to you after proper verification. There is no risk involved, this transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors and their corrupt collaborators from the gover
nment to take it, they are rich a

I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream and we can partner in your country and I also intend helping the less privilege and the poor in society. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my personal email address: (mh4284676@gmail.com ).
We can as well discuss this on phone but under very careful plan; let me know when you will be available. Have a nice day and God bless. Anticipating your communication.

Best Regards,
Mr. Mahmoud Hadi

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