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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: "PAUL IKEMBA" <ikemba-paul@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: paulstevemr@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:40:38 +0000
Subject: What is Keeping You so Long? Please Reply Now.

From: Mr. Paul I. Steve
Executive Director of Claims and Indemnity
Prudential Insurance Company Plc.

Dear friend,

I am 'Mr. Paul I. Steve, Executive Director of Claims and Indemnity of
Prudential Insurance Company. The Management and the Legal / Treasury
Department of this Prudential Insurance Company in a recent meeting,
recommended that the account of Mr. Robert Finkelstein, who maintained a
Life Assurance Policy should be declared Dormant and confisticated hence
moving his unclaimed benefits funds to the Treasury according to our Banking
and Financial law. Mr. Robert Finkelstein is a foreigner and he was amongst
those that Died on the recent plane crash during his visit to London with
his entire family. You can confirm through this website below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

This man was our client and has a Life Assurance Policy WORTH the sum of
Thirty Seven Million, Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$37,
600,000.00). Right now, the fund is lying unclaimed in our custody and there
is no next of kin mentioned in his file and there is NO HOW we can reach any
of his other relatives. All efforts made to establish contacts with any
member of his relation have proved abortive and unsuccessful. His Life
Assurance Policy will expire in the next few months. Just last week we
received an instruction from Ministry of Social Welfare to forward
particulars of all unclaimed benefits that will expire in the next few
months.

Upon my personal finding on this matter, I kept this information secret to
myself until now that I am contacting you. In view of the fact that the
deceased customer is a foreigner, it is officially important for the
involvement of a foreigner who will pose as a next-of-kin. I will use my
position in this Insurance Company to present you as his Next of Kin and the
Money (US$37.6Million) will be safely transferred into your own bank account
in your country. I hope we can share the funds 40% for you, and 60% for me
as I am not greedy. I require you to maintain the confidentiality of this
transaction at all time, due to the fact that I am still in active services
to the Prudential Insurance Company. Your earliest and urgent response will
be highly appreciated and I advice you to send the following;
. Your full name and address
. Your mobile phone and fax number
. The type of business you are into and your age.
. Bank account details and carefully read the bellow instructions.

On my receipt of the above information’s I shall legalize all documents to
present you as official next of kin to the deceased by approving you the
real beneficiary of the said amount, and immediately the documents are
secured copies will be forwarded for your perusal as entitled beneficiary of
the $37,600,000.00 (Thirty Seven Million, Six Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars only). Also, the Original copies will be submitted to the paying
bank in London/Switzerland for the final transfer in your favour. Note; I
have verified the possibility of securing the documents to approve you
beneficiary which will enable the paying bank wire the funds into your
nominated account, though it will take minimum of four (4)working day but
with financial gratification to the concerned Authorities I will enhance the
procurement of the necessary documents in your favour.

The funds must be in your account within five (5) working days of
commencement of this promising transaction and I intend investing some part
of my share in your Nation based on your kind advice as a reliable partner.

I hope to hearing from you urgently, your prompt response will be highly
appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Paul I. Steve.


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