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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: "Kim Heng" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Kim88heng@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2019 21:54:32 +0700
Subject: Hello!

Dear Friend,

I am Mr Kim Heng a banker working In Cambodia Phnom Penh,
I contacted you for a reason, One of my customers have the same family name as yours. He died 6 years ago and left sum of $ 7.3 Million United States Dollars from our Bank. And nobody has come to claim the fund.

I have made every possible attempt to get the relatives or the next of kin to come forward for the claim,
I think we can work things out.

I have relevant documents to register your name as the next of kin to the deceased, since you share the same family name.
I assure you that there will be no risk involved, we will handle this transaction legally and professionally. I have every facility to have this fund transferred, but one thing i need mostly from you is your utmost secrecy, trust and confidentiality so that we can move this fund to any Bank account of your choice.

I will use my position to transfer this fund to any of your nominated account abroad. As per your assistance to me, you will receive 50% of the total amount while 50% Will be for me. As soon as the fund is transferred to your account I will fly over to meet you for my 50% share. I will like you to assure me as follows:
(to). That you will be honest with me, and to keep the transaction secret.
(b) That you will keep my 50% intact until my arrival to your country.

All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you. I suggest, you get back to me as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Mr, Kim Heng

Anti-fraud resources: