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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: "Barr San Martin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sanmartins.law@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2017 15:37:11 -0700
Subject: Treat urgently

Sir,

I am constrained to make this very important request through this median due to its urgency and confidential nature. My name is Alvaro San Martín, a legal practitioner in Spain. I represent Late Engr. Genzo, who was a Petro-chemical engineer before his death in 2010. I am confiding in you in a very crucial matter relating to a huge deposit made by this particular client of mine before his death. I am seeking for your consent to authorize me to present your name as heir to the deceased and to instruct his bank to remit the abandoned sum of $12.5 Million to you to be used for investment in your country. The custodian bank has mandated me as his lawyer to present his heir immediately to apply for the release of this fund otherwise the fund will be confiscated to the bank’s treasury account, hence the need of contacting you.
Be informed that this intended transaction will be executed under a legal manner that will protect you and from any breach of law. I will use my position as my client’s attorney to guarantee the processing of the needed legal documentations for the successful execution of this transaction. All I require is your consent, trust and honest cooperation. You will keep forty five per cent of the money at the end of the transaction while Ten percent will be mapped out for any expenses during the course of the transaction then forty five percent for me. Be informed that no risk is involved. I will give you detailed explanation if you confirm your interest. I hope to hearing from you soonest

Sincerely,

Mr San Martín
(Abogados Defensores Y
Los Profesionales Del Derecho)
OFFICE: Gracia 54 Barcelona, Spain
Tel/Fax: +34 692 899 384

Anti-fraud resources: