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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: "Mr Idris Hamaa" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:32:45 -0800
Subject: From: Mr. Idris Hamaa (I.C.B Manager)

From: Mr. Idris Hamaa
(I.C.B Manager)


Dear Respected One,

My name is Mr. Idris Hamaa, branch manager with international commercial bank Ghana in West Africa, I
Realized excess profit of $12,950,000.00 from a contract that was awarded to a foreign company here in
Ghana by the World Health Organization to supply ante-natal and post-natal drugs to rural Areas in Ghana
and other West African countries, this said money for the supply of drugs was firstly deposited in my branch.
With my position as the branch manager, I trade with the Money in Ghana stock market before the contractors
withdrew the money for the said purpose, I deposited the profit I made (US$12,950,000.00) in Non-Resident
account in which i need you to stand as the beneficiary and receive this fund in your account. I cannot be
directly involve, because i am still working with the bank, and the law here stipulated that as a civil servant
we are not allowed to have such fund or foreign account.

This transaction is bank to bank transfer and practically no risks involved, you will have 30% of the total s
um, 5% for expenses incurred during the conclusion of this transaction, while 65% for me.

I have questions to ask:
1. Can you handle this project?
2. Can i trust you?
3. Can you keep this business confidential.
Await your reply for more details.

Best regards,
Mr. Idris Hamaa

Anti-fraud resources: