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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: "usman bello" <usmanbello222@msn.com>
Reply-To: usmanbello222private@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 23:28:27 +0000
Subject: ATTENTION FROM DESK OF MR.(USMAN BELLO).

FROM DESK OF MR. USMAN BELLO.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY(CAPITAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION)
FALOMO OFFICE COMPLEX, P.M.B.27091.
LAGOS-NIGERIA.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

ATTN, PRESIDENT/C.E.O.

DEAR, I AM MR. USMAN BELLO, THE CHIEF SECRETARY OFFICER OF THE CAPITAL
PETROLEUM CORPORATION (C.P.C.) UNDER THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM
CORPORATION (N.N.P.C.). I GOT YOUR CONTACT MAIL ADDRESS FROM AN ASSOCIATE
WORKING WITH THE NIGERIAN EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL IN ABUJA RECENTLY AND
DECIDED TO PROPOSE THIS BUSINESS IN STRICT CONFIDENCE. ON BEHALF OF MY
CHAIRMAN, MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE MINISTERIAL OFFICIALS AND THE
OTHER OFFICER INCHARGE OF OFF-SHORE REMITTANCE IN THIS CORPORATION. WE ARE
SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE FOR THE TRANSFER OF (US$20 MILLION) TO YOUR ACCOUNT
FOR FURTHER INVESTMENT PURPOSE, HENCE OUR REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
SOURCE OF FUND:THIS AMOUNT TO BE TRANSFERRED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT ACCUMULATED
FROM OVER-INVOICED CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OIL REFINERY
SUB-STATION IN THE (NIGER-DELTA) REGION IN NIGERIA IN 1998 TO EXPATRAITE
COMPANIES.THE CONTRACT WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY VALUED FOR (US$209 million) WAS
MANIPULATED TO READ (US$229MILLION), THE EXTRA US$20 MILLION IS WHAT WE WANT
TO TRANSFER TO YOUR ACCOUNT.THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY EXECUTED AND
THE CONTRACTOR HAD BEEN PAID ALL THEIR CONTRACT BILLS REMAINING US$20
MILLION.
WHAT WE EXPECTED FROM YOU DURING YOUR REPLY ARE: (A). YOUR NAME AND CONTACT
ADDRESS, YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR EASY COMUNICATION.
(B). YOUR BANKERS NAME AND ADDRESS, YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER FOR SUBMISSION
TO THE MINISTRIES AS TO WHERE THIS MONEY WILL BE TRANSFER INTO. (C). YOU
SHALL ARRANGE FOR US TO MEET WITH YOU IMMEDIATELY THE TRANSFER HAS EFFECTED
INTO YOUR ACCOUNT ON YOUR CONFIRMATION.
WE HAVE RESOLVED THAT YOU TAKE 20% OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT FOR YOUR KIND
ASSISTANCE BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO CLAIM THIS OVER CONTRACT SUM
HERE IN NIGERIA.10% HAS BEEN MAPPED OUT FOR ANY MISCELLANEOUS EXPENCES
INCURED BY YOU AND US DURING THE PROCESS WHILE 60% IS FOR ME AND MY
COLLEAGUES INCLUDING OUR CHAIRMAN.
ALL MODALITIES TO EFFECT THE PAYMENT AND SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER OF THIS MONEY
TO YOUR ACCOUNT HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT, SO IT'S 100% RISK FREE. THOUGH, YOU
ARE REQUIRED TO TREAT THIS BUSINESS WITH THE STRICT CONFIDENCE.
I AWAIT YOUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE THROUGH THIS MAIL ADDRESS
(usmanbello2005@yehey.com) ON MY ATTENTION AND SEND ME YOUR CONFIDENTIAL
PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR SPEEDY CORRESPONDENCE.
I WILL HIGHLY APPRECIATE IF YOU TREAT THIS BUSINESS WITH THE STRICT
CONFIDENCE IT DEMAND FOR SECURITY REASONS.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
MR. USMAN BELLO.


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