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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: "Eric Johnson" <eric_johnson111@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 18:03:34 +0000
Subject: URGENTLY REPLY PLEASE

International Trust Bank Plc.
ICON House, 6th Floor, Idejo Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.




Dear friend



It's my pleasure reaching you through this mail. I am Dr. John Wato( AGM,
Corporate Office)
International Trust Bank Plc. I was personal account manager to one late
Engineer PETER pavel of your country, who till his death was a contractor
with Impressario Nigeria Limited, Moenier Oil & Gas Consult and Nigerian
Ports authority. In 2003, Engr. PETER pavel was involved in an ill fated
plane crash UTA Flight 141 on Thursday 25th December, 2003 in Cotonou along
the coast of West Africa, had a balance of US$17.5million with my bank now
expects any of his available next of kin to claim.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm


The fund was proceed of a contract work he just concluded with the Nigerian
Ports authority.The payment was made with an Ecobank cheque which I
personally cleared.Unfortunately, till this moment no one has come as his
relation for his deposit with us. I humbly request your attention to this
matter so that i can present you as his next of kin or beneficiary to his
deposit.It is not a very difficult thing to do especially as you share the
same last name with him
and it will not take time too.


All we need is to change the name and particulars of his next of kin to
yours in our computer database and we file in an application for the release
of the fund through the Probate Office in your name.It does not necessarilly
mean that you must be here to conclude the deal,we may request that the
money be sent to Europe or even the United States for payment. We will talk
about the sharing ratio as soon as you get in touch with me.


best regards,

eric johnson


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