joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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: "JOHN C WILLIAM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johncwilliam001@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2022 11:29:41 -0800
Subject: GOOD NEWS FROM JOHN C, WILLIAM

Hi Dear,
 
My name is JOHN C WILLIAM, Chief Financial Officer, WELLS FARGO BANK here in UNITED STATES.
I have URGENT and discreet business proposal for you that shall benefit us immensely should you choose to participate.
 
Before I reveal any sensitive information it is important I state categorically that, all privilege information concerning my proposal and this business transaction is treated with utmost confidentiality due to source of funds.
These funds which sums up to USD$8.7Million United States Dollars are currently in our client segregated account in relation to one of our private client late [MR. JAMES] (Deceased) who passed away 5 years ago. Hence, the reason why I have contacted you is because you share the same LAST name with the deceased which is very important in securing the above mentioned funds.
 
These funds are held with our prime brokers which is an offshore bank here in HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA. With your permission, I shall give step by step explanation on why I need your assistance and also the source of funds. Further information on how we shall proceed legally to obtain these funds will be provided in due course once I ascertain your genuine intentions and willingness to assist.
Should you be interested, then I will like to hear from you soon via my contact
details below to enable me provide you with more details on how we are to proceed. I anticipate and look forward to a successful business relationship with you.
 
Yours faithfully,
John C. William
Wells Fargo Bank
USA.
 
Email: johncwilliam001@gmail.com
 

Anti-fraud resources: