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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: "Frank Vuzi" <frankvuzi@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:16:08 +0200
Subject: Mr. Frank Vuzi


*From ; Mr. Frank Vuzi*
*52 Main Street Rosettenvail
Johannesburg, Republic
of South Africa.
Phone= +27-73-890-5503*
*Email = **frankvuzi@hotmail.com* <frankvuzi@hotmail.com>

*Good day,

My name is Mr. Frank Vuzi, the son of Mr. Themba Vuzi of Zimbabwe. It might
be a surprise to you where I got your contact address. Don't be worried
because I am contacting you in good faith.

During the current crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters
of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our
country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his
party members and their followers. My father was one of the best farmers in
the country and knowing that he did not support the President political
ideology, the president supporters invaded my father's farm and burnt down
everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments.

After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger sister
decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along
with us the documents of the money my father deposited as personal
valuables in a private Security Company in the Republic of South Africa for
safekeeping which amounted to the sum of US$21M (TWENTY ONE MILLION UNITED
STATES DOLLARS) .*
*
Because of our present status (Political Refugees),and the Xenophobia
attacks on foreigners here in South Afrcia is also giving us great
concern my mother and I are seriously looking forward to having an overseas
partner that will assist us with the convenient and legal transfer of the
funds out of South Africa. If my proposition is considered, for assisting us
to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 20% of the total
fund, and 5% of the total will be set aside to cover any expenses incurred
during this transaction. 75% will be for my family to invest in your country
under your supervision.*

* For detailed information, you can contact me on the above e mail and phone
number. I would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our
correspondence.
Your immediate response will be highly welcomed.

Best Regards,
Frank Vuzi (FOR THE FAMILY)*

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