joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Douglas McHenry" <douglas@douglaszone.net>
Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 09:48:41 +0000
Subject: Attention:Urgent Response Needed

Dr Douglas McHenry
Plot 3a Airport Road
Ikeja Lagos Nigeria
Email:douglas@douglaszone.net

Attention:Confidential Business Proposal

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 your assistance to transfer the sum of $15,000,000.00 (fifteen
million, 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 incidental 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
acceptable, we shall require the following documents:

. (a) your private telephone and fax numbers — for confidentiality and easy
communication.
Alternatively we will furnish you with the text of what to type into your
letter-headed paper, along with a breakdown explaining, comprehensively what
we require of you. Note this money have been moved out from Central Bank of
Nigeria,to a Security Fianace House for safe keeping.After hearing from
you.I will send you an Application letter that you will send the Security
Company in Europe,that will enable them release this fund to you without any
delay.

Please reply urgently.

Best regards

Dr Douglas McHenry


Anti-fraud resources: