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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Scicluna" <michael.scicluna@volny.cz> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:32:33 +0100 (CET)
Subject: business offer



--
Dear Friend,

I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to
starting a relationship but I believe knowing each other starts from
a step of which I believe I am not making a mistake exposing this
very important business deal to you?

Firstly, let me identify myself without any intention of
equivocation, I am Mr. Michael Scicluna, Financial Expert worked
with Banks here in United Kingdom, I will be happy if we can do
business together in good faith and this proposal will be of mutual
benefit for us. I have a transaction deal in the tune of
$35,500,000.00 {Thirty Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand US
Dollars} to be transferred to any possible safe account with your
good assistance. I have every possibility & advantages for the
proceeds of this fund to be paid to your account.

I had discussed this issue privately with the Top Bank Director and
he agreed to help and have instructed me to look for a foreigner who
can be trusted and capable to handle this transaction so that we can
secretly move this money out from UK immediately basing on
Investments plans in your Country. I guarantee that this will be
executed under a concrete special arrangement that will protect us
from any breach of law. I will not fail to bring to your notice that
this transaction is hitch-free and you should not entertain any
fears as the required arrangements have been made for the completion
of this operation.

Your assistance as a foreigner is necessary because the management
of the bank will welcome any foreigner who has correct information
to this account which I will give to you immediately, We will start
the transfer. I am only contacting you as a foreigner because this
money cannot be approved to a local person here due to law in United
Kingdom.

This money was secretly deposited and placed for an Investment
before the late holder died and none of his families or relatives
knows about this money, I came across this great fortune during an
annual pre-audition. If you can be trusted and capable to handle
this business with me in full confidence & trust, please send me the
following information for documentation preparation and also give me
your word of confidence that we will work as one team and I will get
in return what belongs to me after successful transmission this
operation :

At the conclusion of this transaction, your total share will be 35%
of the total transfer sum,while 65% for me and my partners who is
helping in making this successful.

If you are interested, please forward the following information as
below:

(1). Private phone numbers: .....
(2). Current residential address:.....
(3). Occupation: ......
(4). Age and Sex: ......

(5). Your Full Banking Coordinates as follows.
Bank Name: ......
Bank Address:......
Account No:......
Account Holder's Name:.....
Routing Number/Swift Code If Any.......

I look forward hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
Michael Scicluna
Director Auditing Department

Anti-fraud resources: