419 scam: Smith Tobbin <smithtobbin@gmail.com> Greetings............

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- smithtobbin@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Smith Tobbin <smithtobbin@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2011 09:23:00 -0700
Subject: Greetings............

Greetings.....

I am writing to solicit your assistance and co-operation to transfer some
amount of money into your account overseas. Therefore, this communication
should be held highly confidential.

I wish to transfer into a safe and secured account overseas, some amount of
money which was over-invoiced amount from contracts that was awarded to
foreign contractors who have been duly paid on completion of their various
contracts. However,by virtue of my position as civil servant, I cannot
acquire these funds in my name or in any company name here in Ghana .

I am now looking for a reliable International outfit partner abroad into
whose account the funds will be transferred. I have agreed on the following
sharing ratio if you accept my proposal. Sixty percent (60%) for me and
Forty percent (40%) for you the offshore Account owner. I chose you for this
transaction basically because I believe it is possible looking from a
professional view on your field and profession, hence this business
proposal. If you are interested in this deal, I will require some
information from you in order to effect the transfer of the funds.

1. Your Full Names:
2. Your Company Name or Home Address:
3. Your Telephone Numbers:
4. Your Private Fax Numbers:

Please, be informed that I shall commence processing of claims and payment
once you show interest and the funds will be TRANSFERRED into your account
within Five (5) working days by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T). Note that this
transaction is 100% risk free.

Best Regards,
Mr Smith Tobbin
Accountant - (Ministry for Works and Housing Ghana)
Email: smithtobbin@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam