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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: Agu Awa <aguawa1415@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 09:08:57 +0100 (BST)
Subject: MUTUAL BENEFITS


From: Mr. AGU  AWA
GENERAL MANAGER WEST,
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY BANK OF WEST AFRICA PLC.)
 
Dear sir
Compliments. I am the General Manager of COMMERCE AND INDUSRY BANK OF WEST AFRICA PLC. During the course of the end of  the year  auditing,I discovered that a certain amount has remained unclaimed. I discovered that this amount belongs to one Mr. JULIUS ROBBIN, a national of your country, who died in the plane crash that occured some time ago at Alapere village in Ijebu Ode Ogun State of Nigeria, and after a long trace, we discovered that his next of kin died even before the businessman and he left no other next of Kin to contact to inherit his wealth.
 
He has left a total of US$18.4M Dollars in his account with our bank, since nobody has appeared as his next of kin. I, now want to use this opportunity to contact you to front as the next of kin, by providing an account where we can secure this money and use it for investment purposes. For providing this account,you will be compensated with 40% of the total value, while We will use 10% to offset all expenses that may arise by me oryou during the cost of transfer transaction, 50% will be for  me. Therefore, if you are interested and capable of handling a business of this magnitude, do not hesitate to acknowledge my mail urgently as I have all the logistics to commence the treansfer on provision of the receiving bank/account and other related expected from you.
 
I will use my official position in the bank to ensure that due approvals are granted for the remittance to your account. This business is risk free and can be concluded within 28 bank working days from the date of your approval to the date of remittance, but for my security and my job position this must be kept highly confidential. All I need from you is your address/telephone for more easier communication.
 
I expect to hear from you soon.
Faithfully yours,
AGU  AWA.
General Manager.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY BANK OF WEST AFRICA PLC.

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