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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: "Ismail Salleh" <ahmadanuar285@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: anuarahmad332@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2013 11:38:31 +0200
Subject: BUSINESS REQUEST!!

Attn: The President / CEO

Urgent Telegraphic / Swift Transfer of USD38M

I am Mr. Ismail bin Md. Salleh, Director General (DG) / Chairman Debt
Reconciliation Committee Malaysian Highways Department (MHD) I got your
contact from worldwide database and yellow pages encyclopedia after due
consideration believing you are highly respected personality. Although, I
do not know to what extent you are familiar with events, hence I contact
you.

Firstly, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction;
this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and “TOP
SECRET” with great magnitude involving a pending transaction requiring
maximum confidence, I am sure and have confidence of your ability and
reliability to prosecute this magnificent transaction. The new government
has principally mandated me to review and offset all contractors
outstanding overdue payments on contracts awarded since May 1998 to, June
2009, under the regimes of the former Heads of State.

Respectively, In May 2001, a contract worth USD385M was awarded to a
foreign company by Malaysian Highways Department (MHD) for Maintenance of
Highway Structures in Malaysian Island, Pulau Langkawi and New Territories
2002-2005. I deliberately over-invoiced the contract with USD38M. Actually
the company that executed the contracts has been fully paid and the
projects were completed and officially commissioned.

Therefore, due to epigrammatic decision to redefine the outstanding
payment I am presenting you as the beneficiary who will present original
invoice to re-apply and to substitute the foreign company which upon its
presentation to Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) your designated bank
account will be credited unconditionally. On receipt of your immediate
response, we shall discuss the compulsory modalities. I have all necessary
documents / approvals to secure the transfer in your favour.

Note as a mandatory, I wish to make the clarifications as follows: That
you will be entitled to share 30% of the total funds and 70% will be my
share. I consequently request your maximum assistance and approvals to
facilitate the transfer of the above funds from Central Bank of Malaysia
(BNM), where these funds are deposited.

Upon confirmation of your readiness to execute this magnificent
transaction with me, you will be urgently required to furnish your
companies letter headed paper signed & stamped and the following:

(1) Your company name and address
(2) Your full name and address
(3) Your Profession and date of birth
(4) Your telephone and Fax Number

In conclusion, I guarantee that this operation will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law.

Best regards,

Mr.Ismail bin Md. Salleh
Malaysian Highways Department (MHD)

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