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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Frank Tobi" <franktobi22@msn.com>
Reply-To: franktobi11@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2005 11:40:12 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY

MR.FRANK TOBI
LAGOS-NIGERIA WEST AFRICA

DEAR FRIEND,

I AM A DIRECTOR OF THE CONTRACT SECTION OF THE NIGERIAN
TRANSPORT AND AVIATION HEADQUARTERS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA.

I WRITE BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE. BY VIRTUE OF MY
POSITION
IN THE MINISTRY, MYSELF AND SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE BENEFICIARIES OF FUNDS
IN THE
SUM OF $25,000,000.00 (TWENTY FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS).

THIS AMOUNT IS PRESENTLY AWAITING OFFSHORE REMITTANCE INTO FOREIGN ACCOUNT
SINCE
IT COULD NOT BE PAID HERE DUE TO RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON CIVIL SERVANTS
REGARDING
OWNERSHIP OF FOREIGN ACCOUNT.

THIS AMOUNT IN QUESTION ($25,000,000.00) RESULTED FROM OVER INVOICED BILLS
FROM
CONTRACT EXECUTED BY A FOREIGN FIRM IN MY MINISTRY TO THE TUNE
OF$59,000,000.00
(FIFTY NINE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS).

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTOR HAS RECEIVED THE
$34,000,000.00(THIRTY FOUR MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) DUE TO HIM, WHILE
$25,000,000.00(TWENTY FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) OVER INVOICED
SURPLUS IS
NOW FLOATING IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT.
IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKDROP THAT I SEEK YOUR COOPERATION IN ACCOMODATING
THIS FUND
IN YOUR CUSTODY.FOR YOUR PART IN HELPING US, MY COLLEAGUES AND I PROPOSE 20%
OF THE
TOTAL SUM TO YOU, 70% FOR OURSELVES AND 10% FOR MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES ON
BOTH SIDES
LIKE TELEPHONE AND FAX BILLS.

I ASSURE YOU THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR HOME WORK VERY WELL IN OTHER TO MAKE THIS
DEAL
100% RISK FREE. IF YOU ARE
INTERESTED IN THIS SAFE DEAL, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ONCE
THROUGH E-MAIL.

THIS TRANSACTION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED UNDER FIVE
WORKING DAYS WITH YOUR COOPERATION AS ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE MINISTERIAL
DEPARTMENT
IN CHARGE OF THE TRANSFERENCE HAS BEEN CONCLUDED, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION,
PLEASE
DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,


MR.FRANK TOBI


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