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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: "Alan Peter Garnett" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alanpeter00051@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:33:47 +0100
Subject: I HAVE BUSINESS FOR YOU

Dear Friend,
My name is Alan Peter Garnett  from United Kingdom and I am a Lawyer
by profession but before I continue, I must apologize for this
spontaneous email to you because I’m aware that this is certainly not
a conservative way of approach to establish a relationship of trust,
but you will understand the need for my actions.
 
Actually, I have a crucial and discreet business proposal worth of
US$5,300,000.00 for you that will benefit us immensely should you
choose to participate. But 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.
 
In fact, I’m seriously in need of a serious and trustworthy business
partner because i have unpaid funds worth of five million three
hundred thousand united states of American dollars US$5,300,000.00
with one of the leading banks which actually belongs to one of my late
clients who died few years ago but unfortunately, he has no successor
to inherit/receive the funds from the bank and the value funds have
been approved officially by the decision-making of the bank for
immediate release, transfer or delivery.
 
So, I write this letter to inform you that after a protracted meeting
with the bank management, the decision-making approved the funds and
instructed the concerned department for immediate payment to the
supposed successor through cash delivery upon the receipt of his/her
address.
 
Consequently, the bank have made all the essential arrangement for the
cash delivery to any of the successor’s house/office address and be
inform that I have paid 5% of the total funds which covers all the
expenses here which imply that you don't have to pay any charge/fees
until the money arrive your country and then i will send you my personal
bank account in (UK) to transfer my own 50% which is(US$2,650,000.00).
 
Should you be interested, then send your details, your full names,
phone number, home/office address and any of your ID for
identification purposes only and I will submit them to the bank to
start the payment process in your name as the beneficiary/recipient.
Please reply as soon as possible for more details on how we are to
proceed in getting the funds released/delivered to you within 72
hours.
 
Yours faithfully
Mr. Alan Peter Garnett

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