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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: Natasha Dube <natashadube07@gmail.com>
Reply-To: natashadube@zoho.com
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2015 03:49:37 +0000
Subject: READ AND GET BACK TO ME

Dear Good Friend,
Sorry for not having the pleasure of knowing your mindset before making
you this offer, it is utterly confidential and genuine by virtue of its
nature. I write to solicit your assistance in a funds transfer deal
involving US$9.5M. Meanwhile, I know there is absolutely going to be a
great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled
with the fact that, so many miscreants and impostors have taken
possession of the internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby
making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class
persons to get attention and recognition.

I worked with UBA group as internal auditor. UBA is a commercial bank to
be precise. During one of our internal audit exercise, I came across a
very dormant account of a deceased customer who died years ago. The
said account (money) has been there dormant for over many years now
without claims. Very soon the government would have hold to it. Instead
of that, I have decided to channel it for my own use through your co
operation. I also plan to donate some part of the fund into charitable
organization.

It is up to you to decide whether this letter deserves your trust and
confidentiality. And if indeed it does, whatever your actions and your
decision let me know immediately so that I will give you the detail how
we should go about it. If you concur with this proposal, I intend for
you to retain 45% of the funds while 55% shall be for me
Thanks
Yours sincerely
Natasha Dube

Anti-fraud resources: