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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: "zola radebe17" <zolaradebe17@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: zolaradebe1@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:14:29 +0200
Subject: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

 
378, Banking Mail, Sandton City
Johannesburg, South Africa
Foreign Remittance Department
E.zolaradebe0@yahoo.com
Tel: + 27-73 644 1417
 
                                                       PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTN: PRESIDENT/CEO,
 
Compliments of day to you, obviously this message might come as a surprise to you, but please consider it as a high priority issue, which will definitely change our destiny for good, I am MR. ZOLA RADEBE, the Chief Bank Auditor of the Amalgamated Bank Of South Africa (ABSA BANK) for duration of 15 years now.
 
There is a Draft Account opened in this bank in 1988 by a long-time client of mine Mr. Smith Andre, who was a foreigner and a miner at Kruger Mining Company, he was also a geologist for several other mining conglomerates in Africa, before he passed away in 1990 due to a fire out brake at Kruger Mining Company which took the life of 12 miners in 1990, leaving nobody as the next of kin or beneficiary of  his account after his death, As his financial auditor before his death, I am aware of every details of his bank account from 1988-1990 when the last deposit was made before his death.
 
 As a matter of fact the amount in this account is currently (Nine Million United States Dollars US$9,000,000.00) waiting to be approved for immediate payment by the bank to any foreign account holder with accurate details concerning this account from 1988 to 1990, when the last deposit was made. In other words No withdrawal or deposit has been made since 1990 to date into this account.
I want you to stand as a next of kin to late Mr. Smith Andre because this money cannot be approved for payment into any local account, but can only be approved to a foreign account because it was insured and there is a clause in the depository agreement between the Bank and Mr. Smith Andre which states that on No condition can any local withdrawals be made from this account unless the money is transfer into an overseas foreign account, In effect withdrawals can be made only when the money has transferred from the vaults of the bank to a foreign bank account, I want to remit this fund out as soon as possible to avoid the ministry of finance to confiscate.
 
 If you are willing and capable of handling such amount in strict confidence and trust according to my instructions and advice for our mutual benefits, because this opportunity may not come our way again I will use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and onward transfer of this money into your nominated overseas bank account with the appropriate clearance certificate from the Ministries and Foreign Exchange Department. 
 
I will physically be in your country for the sharing of the money as soon as you confirm the money into your overseas bank account, I will offer you 25% of the total money for your assistance, 5% will be mapped out for any expenses that may be incurred in the course of this transaction, while 70% will be for me to invest in your country. Finally, you should reply urgently by sending your account details with private telephone and fax number to enable my attorney to certify you as beneficiary of the said money at the Ministry of justice.
 
Best Regards,
MR. ZOLA RADEBE
(Chief Auditor ABSA BANK)
378,


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