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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Lewis" <gigltd@gigltd.net>
Reply-To: michaellewis@indamail.hu
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2020 08:24:08 -0700
Subject: Personally to you!!


Dear Sir,

In my search for a trustworthy individual to work with me on a very important and confidential project, I came across your esteemed profile in our Chambers of Commerce and Industries in THE UNITED KINGDOM.

My name is Michael Lewis, a member of the Audit Department with Metro Bank Plc here in The United Kingdom. During the yearly preliminary in-house auditing of accounts, I discovered an account opened in 2000 and since 2012 has remained dormant which means that nobody has been operating it up till date.

The total amount in this account is £20. 6 Million Pound Sterling less accrued interest.I decided to investigate this account for more information and I discovered that the owner of this account, a foreigner has died inter-state leaving no heirs or next of kin who could make a claim. Presently, I am the only one person in our organization with access to this information and I have decided to keep it that way and claim the money for ourselves using you an outside party who will take the place of the deceased (next of kin).

I will supply the necessary information on the deceased and ensure that the claim application is giving immediate approval. Documents like the death certificate will be arranged and forwarded to you for onward submission to the bank.

The project is risk-free, as I will use contacts that hold strategic positions in the bank to effect a successful completion of the project and also ensure that all traces of our mutual involvement are completely wiped off.

These presents no problem as all documented evidence will be directly under my supervision. I have earmarked a commission of 30% of the total amount for you. The remaining 70% you will help me invest in a profitable stocks and shares in your country. I would like to get your decision to this proposal as soon as possible. On receipt of your decision, I will email you explicit details of the already completed groundwork on this project.

Best Regards,
Michael Lewis

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