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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: "Charles Howard" <charleshoward277@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:25:56 -0700
Subject: Greetings to You.


Greetings to You.
I am Charles Howard. Expert in corporate and legal claims: I am contacting you in regards to a deceased client who died in an auto accident on the Madrid Highway 2005: he was a prominent client of mine, Before his sudden death.
Before his death, my client deposited ($18.3million) at the vault of a financial institution here, documentations regarding these transaction indicates that claims can only be made by his relative family member. Unfortunately,
he had no will at the time of his death. All efforts made revealed no link to any of his family member.

However, the new law of succession/claims/fund indicates duration in which such Claims could be tolerated. The financial institution have mandated me to present the next of Kin or a relative who will claim the funds and Failure to respond to this ultimatum
would Legally allow the financial institute to report these funds to the central bank as unclaimed fund.

I have put in place all necessary requirements concerning the release of this funds and It is my intention to introduce this opportunity to you as the beneficiary. Please note that I'm legally equipped with all necessary information/documentations concerning this
fund. Upon your decision of acceptance, I would process the release of the funds to your Possession: you would be entitled of 50% of the said funds and 50% for me.For security reasons, I have decided not to add more information into this letter, but
Immediately I hear from you, I will forward you more details. Its' been my wish to have an investment outside my country, so this is an opportunity for Me to invest my share of the money in your country. In any type of business you will advise and give directives,
is fine by me. In conclusion, it's my concern to demand your ultimate honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to enable us conclude this transaction.

I GUARANTEE that this process would be executed under a legitimate arrangement that would legally protect you from any Breech of Law.
Thank you and I will be Glad to hear from you.
Regards,
Charles Howard.

Anti-fraud resources: