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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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Fraud email example:

From: "doctor edovia joseph" <doctoredoviajoseph@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 04:29:12 +0000
Subject: TRUST AND UNDERSTAND IS HIGHLY NEEDED

DEAR FRIEND.

TRUST AND UNDERSTAND IS HIGHLY NEEDED

HAVING CONSULTED WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED
FROM THE NIGERIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO
REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF $47,500,000.00 (FORTY
SEVEN MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) INTO YOUR
ACCOUNTS. THE ABOVE SUM RESULTED FROM AN OVER-INVOICED CONTRACT,EXECUTED
COMMISSIONED AND PAID FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS (5) AGO BY A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR.

THIS ACTION WAS HOWEVER INTENTIONAL AND SINCE THEN THE FUND HAS BEEN IN A
SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AT THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA APEX BANK.WE ARE NOW READY
TO TRANSFER THE FUND OVERSEAS AND THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN. IT IS IMPORTANT
TO INFORM YOU THAT AS CIVIL SERVANTS, WE ARE FORBIDDEN TO OPERATE A FOREIGN
ACCOUNT; THAT IS WHY WE REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE.THE TOTAL SUM WILL BE SHARED
AS FOLLOWS: 70% FOR US, 25% FOR YOU AND 5% FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL
EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE TRANSFER.

THE TRANSFER IS RISK FREE ON BOTH SIDES. I AM AN ACCOUNTANT WITH THE
NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC). IF YOU FIND THIS PROPOSAL
CCEPTABLE, WE SHALL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING INFOMATIONS,(A) YOUR FULL NAME,
TELEPHON AND FAX NUMBERS FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND EASY COMMUNICATION.I WILL
PROCEED ON THE DOCUMENTATION OF THIS TRANSACTION IMMEDATELY YOU GET BACK TO
ME WITH THE FULL INFORMATION OF THE TRANSACTION.

THE BUSINESS WILL TAKE US THIRTY (30) WORKING DAYS TO ACCOMPLISH. PLEASE
REPLY TO MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS: (rodney_mccoy2@yahoo.com)

PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY.

BEST REGARDS
RODNEY MCCOY


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