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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: "Gabriel Bryan" <platinumprivate@onlinetrust.com>
Reply-To: gabriel_bryan.platinum@zoho.com
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2017 23:28:14 +0100
Subject: Good day, Please Treat with Urgency and Caution.

Dear Beneficiary,

I am writing you this message as a personal accountant and an accounting manager to an esteemed customer who share same last name as yours here at the platinum private capital bank. He was deceased about 5 years ago and i have since then searched and waited for his family to come and lay claims on his funds, but no one showed up.

Recently, i was prompted by the new board of directors to seal the account and declare the funds as public funds and to confiscate the account. I decided to relate this issue with his personal lawyer who then advised me to search for a relation that can claim the funds and he has agreed to support with all feasible document to ensure that no breach of the law is committed and to keep you safe and to proof that the inheritance belongs to you.

This is the reason i am contacting you to stand in as the next of kin to the deceased customer. I am assuring you that all document needed are present and are dividend to your claim.

I shall present you with his online banking information after getting a response from you so that you can see the proof of this funds and the evidence to clear all doubt.

In line with our standard confirmation process to check for impersonation and ensure funds are claimed by real owners, kindly furnish me with Your valid ID card, full names, Telephone Number, Full address and occupation.

All funds will be shared on a 50% basis between two parties, while you take 50% me and the lawyer will have the other half.

Forthwith, I await your prompt response,

It is urgent that this is attended to before the next Federal Government makes amendment on the laws that guarantees this process is concluded.

Yours Faithfully.

Dr. Bryan.
Senior Accounting Officer
Platinum Private Capital

Anti-fraud resources: