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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: Barrister Mark Godwin <samcoaw121@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mark121x@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2021 07:16:29 +0100
Subject: Urgent response

--
Good Day

How are you doing today. I know that, this message might come to you as
surprise because We don't know each other nor have we ever met before. I
am Barrister Mark Godwin,A solicitor at law, personal attorney to ( Late
Mr.Joerg J.) ,who bears the same last name with you,who used to work with
Shell Development Company in Benin.Here in after shall be referred to as my
client.

On the 21st of April 2017,my client, his wife and their only daughter were
involved in a ghastly car accident along Portnovo express road.All
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have
made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives,
this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful
attempts, In my disparate search for urgent assistance, I decided to track
his last name over the foreign mission guestbook, to locate any member of
his family hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at
6.5MillionUSD, left behind by my client before it get confiscated or
declared nu-serviceable by the (BANK) here in Benin, where this huge amount
were deposited. And now the bank has issued me a notice to provide the next
of kin or have his account confiscated within the next Few weeks. Since I
have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for up to 10 years now, I
seek the consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since
you have the same last names, so that the proceeds of this account can be
paid to you.

Therefore, on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the
sharing ratio and modalities for transfer. I have all necessary information
and legal documents needed to back you up for the claim.All I require from
you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I
guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law. On your interest ,Let me hear from
you Along with your direct Telephone Number For Easy Communications. Urgent
response to this letter will be proudly appreciated.

Note: This transaction must be kept confidential i.e Top Secret.

Best Regards.
Barrister Mark Godwin
Founder of Bonvin Legal Chambers Benin
mark121x@outlook.com

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