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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: "Barr.Benard Otti.Esq." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr_lawyer_otti@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2021 11:57:01 +0100
Subject: ACT URGENTLY PLEASE.

BERNARD OTTI LAW FIRM
SOLICITORS & ADVOCATES
No:45/57,Broad street,
Tinubu ,Lagos.
Email:barr_lawyer_otti@aol.com
 
 
Dear Sir/Madam.
 
 
It is obvious that this proposal will come to you as a surprise.This is because we have not
 
met before but I am inspired to sending you this email following the huge fund transfer
 
opportunity that will be of mutual benefit to the two of us.
However, I am Barrister Benard Otti  Attorney to the late Engr.Ronald Johnson, a national
 
of American, who used to work with Shell Petroleum Development Company(SPDC) in Nigeria .
 
On the 11th of November,2008. My client,his wife And their three children were involved in
 
a car accident along Sagamu/Lagos Express Road.
Unfortunately they all lost their lives in the event of the accident, Since then I have
 
made several inquiries to several Embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives,
 
this has also proved unsuccessful.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the
 
Internet to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I contacted you to
 
assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client,I can easily
 
convince the bank with my legal practice that you are the only surviving relation of my
 
client. Otherwise the Estate he left behind will be confiscated or declared unserviceable
 
by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the Bank where the deceased
 
had an account valued at about $35 million U.S Dollars(Thirty Five million U.S. dollars).
 
Consequently,The bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account
 
confiscated within the next ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in
 
locating the relatives for over several years now.I seek your consent to present you as the
 
next of kin to the deceased,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $35 million U.S
 
Dollars can be paid to your account and then you and me can share the money. 55% to me and
 
40% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through and also
 
forward the following to me:
 
Your Full Name:
Your House Address:
Your Tele-phone And Fax No:
Your Age and Gender :
Your Nationality:
Your Occupation:
Your i/d card attached.
 
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you
 
from any breach of the law.Please get in touch with as quickly as possible.
 
 
Yours Faithfully,
 
Barr.Benard Otti.Esq.
Email;No:45/57,Broad street,
Tinubu ,Lagos.
Email:barr_lawyer_otti@aol.com
 

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