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: Mrs Bi Elena <noreply@elena.com.ph>
Reply-To: eli.abidal11@live.co.uk
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:41:02 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE NEEDED...

Good Day,

Let me start by introducing myself, I am Mrs Bi Elena,
REGIONAL AUDITOR OFFICER BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK. I am writing you this
letter based on the latest development at my bank, which I will like to bring
to your personal edification. I am a top official in charge of client
accounts in (EQUITABLE PCI BANK) which is now BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK
inside the Philippines the merger was (2007) The merger is part of a long-term
goal of Banco de Oro to become one of the largest names in the Philippine
banking industry.


In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the United States
of America and was on the verge of losing most of his estate to his vicious
and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming predicament, my client came
to me with a very brilliant idea. He transferred some funds, ten million two
hundred thousand dollars ($10.2m) to a fixed deposit account in my bank under
an alias which only the two of us knew about as the confidentiality of the
matter was necessary for his protection.


Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds have been sitting in the
account ever since and will continue to do so perpetually unless we do
something about it. This is where you come in. I located you through an agency
that helps seek people by their email. My client did not declare any next of
kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit.
Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I would like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to our client so that you will be able
to receive his funds. I want you to know that I have had everything planned
out so that we can come out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will
prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to my
client. All that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me
with your Full Names and Address and telephone number so that the attorney can
commence his job.The allocation of our money will be as follows: 30%($3.06m) to you for your
part in this, 70% for me. Again, I will be in charge of everything else. I
will assume all responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to worry
about any legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money. Your
urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me through this email
address (elenabi.ph@hotmail.com) for more details on this transaction as
soon as possible.This should be kept very secret and confidential.
Hope to hear from you soon.



Kind Regards
Mrs Bi Elena



Anti-fraud resources: