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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: Assistant Needed! <thzuu12@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: thz.uma@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:26:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GOOD DAY!


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ESKOM HOLDINGS LIMITED
REG NO 2002/015527/06
FROM OFFICE OF
THE DIRECTOR,  
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT
ESKOM HOLDINGS LIMITED

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
 
Attn:
Dear Sir/Ceo,,
 
With due respect, trust and humility, I write you this proposal which I
believe, would be of great interest to you and for your consideration, and I
also apologize for intruding into your private email address because I know that
this e-mail will come to you as a surprise but however strange or surprising
this contact might seem to you as we have not met personally or had any dealings
in the past,  to this infect,  I humbly ask that you take due consideration of
its importance and immense benefit it will be to both of us. Please do not
despair because I got your email address from a business advertising website on
the Internet before making my contact with you.
 
My name is Mr. Themba Zuma, the Acting
Chairman and Acting Chief Executive of Eskom Holdings, republic of South Africa
. It is my profound intention to contact you for this very important and highly
confidential transaction for the transfer of US$6, 20 0, 000, 00 into your
account.  The (US$6, 200,000,00) was the over estimated balance from the
contracts awarded to both foreign and local contractors the real contract value
was $19 million united states dollars, but it was over estimated to the tune of
(US$25, 200, 000.00) (Twenty Five
Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) only. 
 
The contract has been successfully executed by the contractors and their
contract sum of (US$19M) has been paid to them, leaving the over estimated
balance of (US$6, 200, 000.00) Six Million Two Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars which I intend to transfer to your nominated account. Presently the
money is lodged with South African Reserve
Bank waiting to be remitted to any overseas beneficiary confirmed by my
department as associate/receiver.  My main reason of contacting you is that by
virtue of my position as civil servant in my country, I cannot
acquire or transfer this money in my name. And as high placed civil
servants, the South African civil service laws (Code of Conduct)
forbids us to own foreign account. On the other hand, it is not safe for me to
keep the money here due to unstable political environment.
 
If you are interested in working with me as a partner, then indicate your
interest. For your assistance, you shall receive 25% to you as commission for
your co-operation and assistance in facilitating the transfer, while the
remaining 75% belongs to me. You will be free to take out your commission
immediately after the money hits your account. Since my objective is to invest
the money in a foreign country, it would be appreciated if you could also help
me with advices and direction on investing into profitable ventures in your
country.
 
I confirm that the transaction is legitimate and without any risks either
to me or you, it will also be conducted under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect both parties from any breach of law. I expect that you would find time
at your earliest convenient to let me know of your position as it relates to
your willingness to assist me transfer this fund to your account.
 
 My best regards,
 Mr. Themba Zuma.

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