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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Stella Sigcau" <ssigcau@excite.com>
Reply-To: ssig01@netscape.net
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 09:34:19 +0200
Subject: Good day....

Dear Friend,

I am contacting you to front as a co-owner of my late husband's company and beneficiary of funds (US$25,000,000.00) due the company.

Currently, I am a high ranking government official in the cabinet of the ruling President Thabo Mbeki (South Africa). I am a widow and mother of two children.My late
husband Mr Ronald Tshabalala died 1996.

After his death, I recently discovered that an over-invoiced proceeds of a contract I helped his company secure is yet to be paid out by the Reserve Bank of South Africa.
Presently the funds can also be paid out by South Africa's offshore bank in England.

Like I stated earlier on, this funds emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which my husband's company executed with the Government of South Africa.I am
afraid that the government of South Africa might start to investigate on contracts awarded from 1995 to date. If they discover this money yet unclaimed with my husband's
name linked to it, the government will confiscate the money and seize his assets here in South Africa and this will definitely affect my political career in Government.

I want your assistance to front as a co-owner of his company (Tshabalala Construction, LTD) to facilitate the release of the funds. I will introduce a very good attorney to
assist us with the transfer process without any hitch but he will not be told my interest in the transaction as I play a very sensitive role in my government. As the contract was
executed in my present government department, be rest assured that I will use my position to approve the immediate release of the entitlement. As soon as the funds is
release to your name, you are expected to move it immediately into your personal bank account in your country. Please once you have confirmed receipt of the funds into

your account, I want you to notify me immidiately so that I will arrange to meet with you.

The lawyer I will recommend to assist us will be representing our interest at the Reserve Bank of South Africa and all necessary quarters. All future correspondence must be
made either to the attorney or myself.

Please, I want you to note here that I am reposing huge trust on you regardless of your being a total stranger; please,lets make brotherhood and sincerity our watchword.
Upon your reply, we shall discuss your percentage for your assistance.

If you agree to my proposal, please endeavour to send me an urgent reply through my email address or this my private email address ssig0@netscape.net

Again note that due to my sensitive position as serving government official, I will only give you more details of myself when we proceed further and this is after I have
confirmed your sincerity towards this transaction. I would not want you to phone or fax me for now.

Thank you.

Stella Sigcau

Honesty and transparency, they are my best work tools.



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