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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: "Engr. Abel Kwosana" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ab.kwosana@yandex.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2014 10:24:46 +0400
Subject: Dear Friend

Good Day!
>From A. Kwosana;
 
It is my great pleasure in writing you this letter on behalf of my colleagues and myself. A member of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (N.E.P.C) who was among the Federal Government Delegation to your country during a trade exhibition gave your particulars to me.  I have decided to seek a confidential cooperation with you in the execution of the deal for the benefit of all
Within the Ministry of Petroleum Resources where I work as a Director, Project Implementation and with the cooperation of Four other top officials, we have in our possession as overdue payment bills totaling Twenty- One Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars (US$21,500,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with assistance and cooperation of a foreign company and/or individual to receive the said fund on our behalf or a reliable Foreign account non/company to receive such fund.
The Funds represented some percentage of the total contract value executed on behalf of my ministry by a foreign contracting firm that was over-invoiced.  Though the actual contract cost have been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount that we have in principles gotten approval to remit by Telegraphic Transfer (T.T.) to any foreign bank account you will provide.
I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in the transaction your share of the sum will be 30% of the US$21.5Million, 60% for us and 10% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses.
The business itself is 100% safe, provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. Also your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me. email  your response to  me directly  to indicate your willingness in assisting us.
Thanks for your cooperation
Yours truly, faithfully, Engr. Abel Kwosana.

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