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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Patrick Kuffor" <patkuffor111@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: patkuffor@myway.com
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 20:41:39 +0000
Subject: We thus propose to do business with you

Dear,
Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethics. I introduce myself as Mr.Patrick Kuffor a staff in the accounts management Section of the Bank here in London.
 
One of our accounts with holding balance of 25,549,250 (Twenty five Million five Hundred and fourthy nineThousand two Hundred and fifthy British Pounds) has been dormant and last operated in the past 5 years. From my investigations and confirmations, the owner of this account is a Foreigner who died long time ago.
 
Since then nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of this money as he has no family Member who is aware of the existence of either the account nor the Funds. Information from the National Immigration also states that he was single on entry the country.
 
I have confidentially discussed this issue with one of the top official in the bank and we have agreed to find a reliable foreign partner to deal with. We thus propose to do business with you, standing in as the next of kin of the deceased and have the funds released to you after due processes have been followed.
 
We wish to start the first transfer with $10,000.000.00 (Ten Million) and upon successful transaction without any disappointment from your side; we shall re-apply for the transfer of the remaining balance to your account.
 
This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential. I am sure and have confidence of your ability and reliability to prosecute a transaction of this great magnitude. At the conclussion of the transfer 60% of the fund will be for me, I will give you 30% of the total transfer sum, 5% for charity both in london and in your country while the remaining 5% will be set aside to settle expenses both parties might incur during the transfer process.

This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism  or any other Illegal act.
On your interest, let me hear from you.
 
Regards,
Mr.Patrick Kuffor

MSN Hotmail is evolving – check out the new Windows Live Mail

Anti-fraud resources: