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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: "Bode Thomas" <stevmba@mscold.com>
Reply-To: bodethomas080@yahoo.de
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 11:42:58 -0500
Subject: Greetings from Mr. Bode Thomas


From: Mr. Bode Thomas,
Credit Officer Diamond Bank Nigerian Plc.
Diamond Bank Nigerian Plc
# 10 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.
Lagos Nigeria.

Dear Sir / Ma,

First, I'm soliciting your utmost confidentiality in this Transaction. I am Mr. Bode Thomas, Credit Officer with Diamond Bank Nigerian Plc, Lagos. I came to you in my private search for a reliable person to handle this confidential transaction, which involves huge sum of money to your country.

The Proposition: A foreigner an American, late Peggy Stockley who died on January 31 aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which crashed into the Pacific Ocean not far from Los Angeles., while returning from her country from a business trip. She Banked with us at Diamond Bank Nigerian Plc Lagos and had a closing balance worth US$15.5Million, having heard of the tragic incident involving late Peggy Stockley the bank now expects a next of kin as beneficiary. Valuable efforts have been made by Diamond Bank management to get in touch with any of her family's but I personally found out that she died with her husband and
had no child or children that is known to us.

The only name of next of kin given to us by late Peggy Stockley unfortunately was with her in the same flight that crashed, and this is unknown to the bank. I'm taking this advantage in order to better my life and that of my family, I now decided to seek your permission to have you stand as next of kin to late Peggy Stockley, so that the fund (US$15.5M) will be released into your account as the next of kin. All documents and proves to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out, by the lawyer that will be employ to work on your behalf . You can take time and verify from the website as shown herein for
confirmation of the crash,

<http://edition.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/>

I am assuring you that this transaction and its procedures is 100% legal and risk free involvement. Your share stays while the rest will be for myself. The sharing of the fund between the two of us will be as follows: 30% of the total sum will go to you for your effort and commitment to the success of this transaction. 70% will be for us here. As soon as I receive an acknowledge of the receipt of this message in Acceptance, I will immediately start up with the process. If this proposal is acceptable by you, kindly reply me immediately you get this mail.

I want you to also furnish me with your private telephone/fax or preferably your mobile numbers and I will have to apply for the release and subsequent transfer of the fund in your favor. Please try and call me so that I will know that you have received this mail today. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Bode Thomas
(Credit Officer, Diamond Bank Nigerian Plc)



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