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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: "Mrs. Randi Blicher" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Mrsblicherrandi@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2023 12:27:21 +0100
Subject: confidential business

Greetings . I am Mrs. Randi Blicher, an account officer in united credit union . I have a business deal of US$90 million that will be of immense benefit to the both of us. As soon as you confirm your interest to know more about this business deal and your willingness to keep it confidential,

I have decided to seek confidential cooperation with you for the execution of this deal described hereunder for our mutual benefit. During the course of our audit last month, I discovered unclaimed/abandoned funds totaling US$90 million in a bank account that belongs to a customer who unfortunately lost his life and entire family in a car accident five years ago.

Now I sincerely seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/ beneficiary since you both bear the same name, so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$90 million can be transferred to you, which we will share in these percentages ratio, 50% for me and 50% for you. All I request is your utmost sincere cooperation, trust and maximum confidentiality to achieve this successfully. I have carefully mapped out the modalities for the execution of this transaction under a legitimate arrangement to protect you from any breach of the law both in your country and here in my country .

The relevant documents that will be requested by our bank to indicate that you are the rightful beneficiary and thereafter the bank will release the funds to you without any further delay, upon your consideration and acceptance of this offer, please send me the following information as stated below so that we can proceed to get this funds transferred to your designated bank account immediately.

Your Full Names:
Your Contact Address:
Your Cell Phone Number:
Your Occupation:

I await your swift response and reassurance so that we can commence this business immediately.

As soon as I hear from you with the required data above as well as receiving your reassurance that I can put my trust in you most especially when the funds have been released to you by the bank thus enabling us to share the money in the ratio (50/50)as agreed. you must do all it takes to keep this transaction only to yourself until these funds are approved and transferred into your account in your country while I come over to meet with you for my 50% share.

In conclusion, it’s my concern to demand your ultimate honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to enable us to conclude this transaction. I assure you that this process would be executed under a legitimate arrangement .

Best Regards,
Mrs. Randi Blicher

Anti-fraud resources: