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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: "From Mr. Victor Ribadu" <micbank1@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: vicbadu_1@yahoo.com.au
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 11:48:25 +0100
Subject: vicbadu_1@yahoo.com.au

MR. VICTOR RIBADU
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
ECOWAS SECRETARIAT ACCRA GHANA ( www.ecowas.int )

To The President
/Chief Executive Officer.
Sir,
Subject: Seeking your co-operation in transfer of
US$153Million (One Hundred and Fifty Three Million
United States Dollars).

I am the Auditor-General of the Economic Community of
West African States(ECOWAS) in partnership with the
Chief Accountant of the Organization wish to seek
your unalloyed co-operation and assistance as a
foreign
partner in transfer of the above mentioned funds to
your nominated foreign bank
account as a supplier/contractor to the organization.
Please note that I am contacting you based on the
investment interest I have in your country
hence the completion of this project.

Be infored that all necessary arrangements have been
concluded for subsequet approval and payment of this
contract sum in your favor as the foreign contractor
with the Organization in charge with contract no:
(ECOWAS/GH-AC/572XB/7403-32/99 ). On completion of
this project, we have agreed to invest 50% of the
total funds with you while 50% will be released to us
on our arrival to your country for our choice
investment.

It is petinent to note that internet is not secured
for further communication on this matter, kindly send
to me your private telephone and fax numbers for
further details and immediate take-off of this
project.

Best regards,
MR. Victor Ribadu.


Anti-fraud resources: