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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: "Engr. Richard Sullivan" <sullivanrichard042@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sullivanrichard040@myway.com
Date: Wed, 03 Aug 2005 04:41:28 +0000
Subject: INVESTMENT AND PARTNERSHIP.

Engr. Richard Sullivan.
Shell Petroleum South-Africa.
Reply via = enquiry:sullivanrichard040@myway.com
Attn: THE PRESIDENT/MANAGING DIRECTOR

Dear Sir/Madam,

INTRODUCTION OF MYSELF:

I am Engineer Richard Sullivan, a Director of the Contracts Award and review
Department with the Shell petroleum South-Africa. I am contacting you on the
business of
transferring the sum of US$20,500,000.00. (Twenty Million, five Hundred
thousand United

States Dollars only) into a safe foreign account and the need is very
urgent. I got your

contact from the South-Africa Chambers of Commerce and it is with business
trust that made

me to contact you on this matter. I write to solicit for the transfer of
this money into

your account.

SOURCE OF THE MONEY:
This Money was generated from an over Invoiced contract sum in my
corporation.
I am contacting you for your help and partnership for the following two
reasons:

MY OBJECTIVES:
(1) As a civil servant, I am not permitted to own foreign accounts due to
civil service code of conduct.
(2) My present financial resources as a civil servant will not be sufficient
for me to handle the transfer alone successfully without financial
assistance from a
reliable foreign partner abroad like you. 20% of this sum would be for you
as compensation
for using your Bank account in transferring this money, 5% would be used to
re-imburse the
expenses made by both parties during the processing of the transfer which
includes,telephone
bills,travelling expenses and fees. While 75% is for me.Please note that I
will
arrange to meet with you immediately after the successful conclusion of the
transfer, the
75% share of mine will be used for investment overseas. Your assistance and
co-operation is
highly needed.I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free.

If you are interested I will require your banking information as mentioned
below:

YOUR ROLE:
1. Name to be used as beneficiary.
2. Beneficiarys home address.
3. Your private and confidential telephone/ fax number(s)and Cellphone.
4. Your Account number.
5. Your bank name and address, your bank Telephone and fax number(s).

I hope to conclude this business within the next fourteen- (14) working
days. Looking forward to your anticipated and urgent positive response via
e-mail."sullivanrichard040@myway.com"

Best regards,
Engr. Richard Sullivan.


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