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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: "Mr. Richard Joseph" <office-----6485023@att.net>
Reply-To: richardoseph_status@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:06:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFIT, REPLY BACK.


Dear Friend,
 
Kind compliments!!

It is my honour to request your assistance on this business proposition which if pursued to its conclusion will be of immense benefit to both of us. This request may seem strange but I hope you will give it attention and respond to me as soon as possible. I feel quite safe and satisfied dealing with you in this transaction of mutual benefit. Though this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I chose to reach you via email because it still remains the fastest and most secured medium of communication.

Nevertheless, this correspondence is purely private, and it should be treated as such. l also guarantee you that this transaction is hitch free from all forms of illegitimacy and i encourage you to read it to the end so that you can understand my interest and the role for which I solicit your modest assistance.

My name is Mr. Richard Joseph, I am the branch manager of a reputable bank in the Caribbean. I am a man of peace; hence I try all the time to ensure that I do not indulge in frivolous activities that might see me and my family in a problematic situation. My desire is one of great benefit and I only hope we can be of immense assistance to each other.
 
I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit both of us. As the branch manager of the bank where I have been a staff for over 15 years, It is my duty to send in a financial report to my unit supervisor at the head office by the end of every fiscal year. On the course of the last two year's (2009) fiscal report, I discovered that an overdraft credited to a deceased client, which was also repaid was not recorded to the attention of the management. It stands as a bad dept and was reported as a bad debt in that year's fiscal report (This was not done intentionally). The sum of Three Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars [$3,750.000.00] is down in a floating account, and closely monitored by me by the day even as I work out modalities to transfer the funds to a trusted friend. A lot is at stake, plus my position and the fact that i must not be mentioned as the initiator, hence my decision to contact you because we have no bonds or prior
relationships which may stall of warrant an investigation into the matter.

I have since place this fund in a safe account, however unable to transfer same to safety because I cannot conclude the transfer without the assistance of a beneficiary. As an officer of the bank I cannot be directly connected to this money, so this informed my polite decision to contact you, to enable us to work together. I will like you to assist in receiving this money in your bank account so that we can share it mutually. Note, there are practically no risks involved, it will be a bank to bank transfer.

All I need from you is to stand claim as the original depositor of this fund who made the deposit with our branch so that the head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account. I will do the paper work and will not require you to make prior contributions if we agree to commence. I will complete an account opening form for you and have same backdated to suit the date of funds. If you accept this offer to work with me, I will appreciate it very much. As soon as I receive your kind response, I will give you details on how we can achieve it successfully.

In the mean time, thank you for your time. Looking forward to read from you soon. Do not hesitate to revert back to me through my private email address;
[ richardoseph_status@yahoo.co.jp ]

Best Regards,

Mr. Richard Joseph.


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