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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: erkmadu1@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 09:18:28 -0500
Subject: Urgent Transfer!!



Urgent Transfer!!
From Mr Erik Madu.
Branch Accountant.
Union Bank Plc.
Lagos-Nigeria


I am Mr.Erik Madu,Personal Assistant to the Late Engr.Butcher Miguel,l
know this proposal will come to you as a surprise because we have not
met before either physically or through correspondence,and I have no
doubt in your ability to handle this proposal involving huge sum of
money.


On June 6, 1999, an America Oil consultant/contractor, Late
Engr.Butcher Miguel with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,
made a numbered time (fixed) deposit for twelve calendar months,
valued at US$5,500,000.00 (Five Million Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars) in my branch upon maturity.I sent a rountine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply.After a
month,we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract
employers,the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that he died in
the plane crash of 31 October 1999 withEgyptian 990 with other
passengers aboard.


On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a
WILL,and attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.I therefore
made further investigation and discovered that Engr.Butcher Miguel did
not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official
documents, including his bank deposit paperwork in my bank. This sum
of US$5,500,000.00 is still in my bankand the interest is being rolled
over with the pricipal sum at the end of each year.No one will ever
come forward to claim it.According to Nigerian law, at the expiration
of (7)Seven years, the money will revert to the ownership of the
Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.


Consequently,my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to
stand as the next of kin to the Late Engr.Butcher Miguel so that the
fruit of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some
corrupt Government officials,and I shall employ the serviceof an
Attorney for the drafting and notarization of the WILL and obtain the
necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your
favour for the transfer of the fund in any bank account in any part of
the world which you will provide will then facilitate the transfer of
this
money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid
into your account for us to share in ratio of 70/30. There is no risk
at all, the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the
attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the
successful execution of
ths transaction.


To enable us commence on the transaction I will apreciate if you
forward to me the following information stated below:


1. Your full name.
2. Your contact address.
3. Your telephone and fax numbers.


Upon the receipt of this information I shall provide you with more
details and relevant documents that will help you understand the
transaction. Pleaseobserve utmost confidentiality and be rest assured
that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because
I shall require your assitance to invest my share in your country.


Thanks for your anticipated assistance.


Best Regards,


Mr.Erik Madu.
Branch Accountant.
Union Bank Plc.

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