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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: Vincent Cheng <vincent_cheng1212@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: vincent_cheng00121@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:55:39 +0700
Subject: Response

Dear Friend,

Let me start by introducing myself again,I am Mr. Vincent Cheng Hoi
Chuen, GBS,
JP Chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.

My secured business suggestion for you.Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client
General Zaiki Taha Abdel who was with the Iraqi Government but a citizen of
SAUDI ARABIA, made a numbered fixed deposit for 24 calendar months (2Years),
with a value of Thirthy million Five Hundred Thousand United State
Dollars only
in my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even during the
war which began in 2003. Again after the war another notification was sent and
still no response came from him. We later find out that General Zaiki Taha
Abdel along with his wife and only daughter had been killed during the
war in a
bomb blast that hit His Resident.

The last time he was at my office he confided in me that no one except me knew
of his deposit in my bank. So, Thirthy million Five Hundred Thousand United
State Dollars only is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward
to claim it. What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country
at the expiration 3 years and six month the funds will revert to the ownership
of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Against this
backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand
as the next of kin to General Zaiki Taha Abdel so that you will be able to
receive his funds.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we
shall come
out successful. I have an attorney that will prepare the necessary document
that will back you up as the next of kin to General Zaiki Taha Abdel, all that
is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full
names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job. After you have
been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for claims on your
behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favour
for the move of the funds to an account that will be provided by you. There is
no risk involved at all in this matter, as we are going adopt a legalized
method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents. Please
endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.

What I require from you is your honest co-operation and I guarantee that this
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I
from any breach of the law. Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and
disregard this email if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered
you. All confirmable documents to back up this fund shall be made available to
you, as soon as I receive your reply, I shall let you know what is required of
you.

Regards from,
Vincent Cheng

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