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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: "peter tambo petertambo-at-satczone.com |News|" <pa70ij27he0t@sneakemail.com>
Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 16:08:00 +0000
Subject: liquidated Engineering company

Dear Sir/Madam,
It is indeed my pleasure to write to you this letter, which I believe will
be a surprise to you, as we are both complete strangers. I work at the
Department of Transport in South Africa as the Director of Audit and Project
Implementation and I have the
mandate of three senior colleagues to search discreetly and diligently for a
Foreign partner that could assist us concerning a business matter, which
will be of mutual benefit to all. We do require your assistance in the
transfer of US$14,500,000.00 (fourteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars). This fund emanated from over invoiced contract amount that
was executed for my Department by an Engineering company, which has
undergone liquidation.
Although the actual contract amount was paid to the company, the over
invoiced amount of US$14,500,000 has since been lying in the Department’s
escrow account at the Apex Bank of South Africa pending proper proof of
claim, I am privy to this classified information by virtue of my position in
the Department. However we are unable to proceed alone with this
transaction, because the civil service code of conduct laws strictly
prohibits us from engaging in private business or operating any foreign
account, hence my search for a foreigner whose company and account (business
or private), we can use to transfer the money. We already have the approved
proof of claim and evidence of this contract in our possession, while
soliciting for a reliable and committed foreign partner to act as front.
The basis of this transaction is that the assets of the liquidated
Engineering company, which won the contract from my Department is being
acquired by your company and we shall arrange all the necessary
documentation in conjunction with one of the ex- directors of the closed
Engineering company. Acquisition of company is a very common practice here
in my country and the officials responsible for documentation have been
settled on this matter. Please note that this transaction is 100% risk free
and we shall abide strictly to all the legal procedures as contained in our
laws and international laws in transferring the fund. I ask that you keep
this communication strictly Confidential, as the three senior officials
involved are very highly placed government functionaries and would not like
to be exposed at this stage. Please go through this letter carefully and if
you are interested in assisting us, kindly notify me urgently via my e-mail
petertambo@gmail.com as time is of great essence in this transaction.
Upon your acceptance to assist us I shall provide you with more detailed
information on procedures and also negotiate your percentage with you for
your Assistance.
Thank you and God Bless, as I wait for your urgent response,
My Sincere Regards.

Mr. Peter Tambo


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