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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: John Wills Esq <legalhouse@optlaw.co.uk>
Reply-To: mail2official@yandex.com
Date: 14 Apr 2023 08:43:50 -0400
Subject: URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED FROM YOU

Dear schwartzchiro@iowaone.net

I'm John Wills Esq, I am a Lawyer based in London, United
Kingdom and expert in corporate and legal claims. I am contacting
you in regards to a prominent deceased client of mine who died
over 2 years ago and he happens to share the same last name with
you.

Before his death, my client deposited (£12,250,000 GBP) with a
financial institution here in London, United Kingdom and
documentation regarding these funds indicate that claims can only
be made by his relative or family member. Unfortunately he had no
will at the time of his death and all efforts made revealed no
link to any of his family members.

As my late client's personal attorney, the financial institution
has mandated me to present the next of kin or a relative who will
claim the funds and failure to respond to this ultimatum would
legally allow the financial institution to report to the
necessary authorities to confiscate the unclaimed funds.

I have put in place all necessary requirements concerning the
release of these funds and It is my intention to introduce this
opportunity to you as the beneficiary. Please note that I'm
legally equipped with all necessary information/documentation
concerning this fund.

For confidential reasons, I have decided not to add more
information into this letter, but I strongly advise that you
contact me via my email for more information. Upon your response,
then I can present you as the next of kin or a relative and I
will guide you all the way until the inheritance funds are
released to you.

To indicate your acceptance send the following details to me:

1. Full Name:
2. Your direct mobile number:

When I have heard from you then we can discuss my proposed
sharing pattern for the proceeds of this claim. It's been my wish
to invest outside my country and this is an opportunity to invest
in a profitable business in your country. In conclusion, it's my
concern to demand your ultimate honesty, co-operation and
confidentiality to enable us to conclude this transaction.

I GUARANTEE that this process would be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will legally protect you from any
breach of the law. I expect your reply and hope to hear from you
soon.

Regards

John Wills Esq

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