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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: George Wilkinson <abum320002@gmail.com>
Reply-To: abus32002@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2024 14:00:15 +0400
Subject: Can I Trust You?


Dear Sir/Ma,


Mr. Pannell Louis, a national of your country, who was a civilian
contractor with Shell Petroleum Development Company in London-UK. You the
2nd day of March, 2020; Mr. Pannell tested positive for the "Corona Virus"
in Bristol London. He was immediately taken to an isolation center by the
European Center for Disease Control (ECDC). However, they passed away after
a painful battle with the dreaded virus on the 29th day of April, 2020.
“May his soul rest in Peace! "Since then, I have made several inquiries to
your embassy through my attorney to locate any of my Late employer's
extended relatives but to no avail. After these unsuccessful attempts, I
decided to search for anyone with a similar surname over the Internet in a
final bid to locate any member of his family. This was how I found you and
decided to contact you!


I am hereby proposing that you assist in claiming and repatriating the
money and property left behind by my client in London-UK before the
government of that country may take over those assets or declare them
dormant. From his local lawyer's body language, I fear that he might
connive with the bank (where my Late employer lodged funds which he was
using to finance his numerous projects with the petroleum company), to
divert and attempt to claim these funds especially as he knows so much
about the Late Mr. Pannell! However, I am bent on thwarting any such move.
I strongly guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the laws.


Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.


Yours faithfully,


Mr. George Wilkinson.

Anti-fraud resources: