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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: "Kumar Washim" <kumashimp@netscape.net>
Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2006 01:11:20 +0900
Subject: SOLICITING FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP

Attn: Soliciting For Your Partnership.
My name is Mr. Kumar Washim, Chairman of contract award and monitoring committee of Ministry of Urban and rural development, my duty as empowered by the Mauritius Government is to provide the basic amenities, social recreational activities in urban and rural areas, This program includes assistance to deprived Local communities and to co-ordinate projects and development at the national level, Furthermore, from this projects we have been able to secure some reasonable amount of U.S.$22.3m(Twenty Two Million Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only)as commission from various Contractors resulting from over invoicing ,hence all the necessary approvals has been completed.
This approved fund is now packaged and dispatched through a security company for onward delivery to its final destination.
These fund are first deposited into a vault security before we arrange for its movement to
Europe through diplomatic channel using decoy purporting that the fund belongs to an expatriate/company, as we are Government official, we are not allowed to operate/own foreign bank account, Hence we need you to stand as the beneficiary and claim the fund on our behalf from the security company.
Presently I am now in Europe to search for a reliable person/company of high integrity /dignity and one with conscience who will claim this fund on our behalf as the beneficiary, and we have agreed to give you 25% of the total sum as commission for your assistance/effort. And 5% will be used to settle every expense incurred. We will use 70% to invest under your recommendations and guide and to go into Joint venture business with you.
The following will be needed from you:
(1) I will like you to provide me immediately with your full names & address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents & affidavits, which will put you as next of kin.
(2)We shall employ the services of two attorneys for drafting & notarization and obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the consignments.
(3)Telephone and Fax numbers for an effective communication and briefing.
I will greatly appreciate your assistance .As I look forward to your response as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
Kumar Washim
Private Email: kumashim@netscape.net

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