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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: bernardomuhammad@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:09:26 +0600
Subject: INVESTMENT FUND

Dear Sir,

I am Muhammad João Bernardo, the son of late President João Bernardo Vieira of Guinea
Bissau, who was assassinated by the soldiers of Guinea
Bissau in 2009, but I am residing in asylum due to my step
mother's attempt to assassinate me because I refused to provide the
bank information where my father left some financial inheritance for me.
I got your contact on a diligence research for a credible
personality whom I can go into joint partnership investment with.

My intention for writing this proposal to you is to invest part of
my father's money in your country possibly in your company, or in any
other profitable business in your Country under your custody and full
management, and the essence of this investment is to enable me apply
for an investment visa to your country which will guarantee me the opportunity of becoming a citizen of your country with time,
through research I discovered that I can only gain a citizenship right in your country by becoming a legitimate investor.

Since after the death of my father I decided to escape to seek asylum
where my father deposited a huge amount of money for me in a bank outside my country. 
I believe that we can establish a lasting business relationship through this investment opportunity,
I believe that my money will be safe in your hands until we meet each other.

I need your urgent assistance as I have concluded with the bank to transfer this money abroad.
Alternatively, we can both go into a joint partnership investment to make it more easier for me to
move this money into a reliable bank in your country.

I need your urgent response because my step mother and those who killed my father are seeking my life.
I am no longer comfortable here, I need your urgent help to transfer this money.
Please be kind to write me back so that I can meet with the bank manager to start processing the transaction.
I do hope to have your understanding towards this proposal.
I am attaching my picture to you.

Kind Regards

Muhammad João Bernardo

Anti-fraud resources: