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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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Fraud email example:

From: tsepovusi2@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 15:49:43 +0200
Subject: ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE

FROM:TSEPO VUSI
EMAIL_tsepovusi2@netscape.net



ATTN: DIRECTOR/C E O,


I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please consider this as a request
from a family in dire need of assistance.First, I must introduce myself. I
am MR. TSEPO VUSI from Angola. I am the first and only son of BRIGADIER VUSI JONES
I am presently resident in South Africa. I got your contact address from a business
directory in Johannesburg Chamber of commerce and Industry. On behalf of my widowed
mother MRS. ELIZABETH VUSI , I desided to solicit for your assistance to transfer
the sum of US$21.5 MILLION( TWENTY ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS)inherited from my late father, into your personal company's account.
Before my fathers' death, he was a Brigadier in charge of Arms and
Ammunation procurement for the Angola Army. In his WILL, he specifically drew my
attention to the said sum of money which he deposited in a safe box of a private
Security Company in Johannesburg- South Africa in a treasure box, fully documented
in my name.
IN FACT MY FATHER SAID AND I QUOTE MY BELOVED SON, I WISH TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO
US$21.5 MILLION . I DEPOSITED THE BOX CONTAINING THIS MONEY IN A SECURITY COMPANY IN
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. DURING THE WAR, I WAS VERY DEDICATED AND OFFICERS AND
GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES WERE BUSSY HELPING THEMSELVES WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDS AND
PROPERTIES AND SENDING THEM TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES. DUE TO THIS, WHEN I AND MY FORMER
SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT WERE ASSIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT (EDUARDO SANTOS)
TO PURCHASE ARMS IN SOUTH AFRICA, WE SAW THIS AS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERTED
THE MONEY AND DIVIDED IT. i GOT A TOTAL SUM OF US$21.5 MILLION. IN CASE OF MY
ABSENCE ON EARTH, AS A RESULT OF DEATH ONLY, YOU SHOULD SOLICIT FOR THE FUND FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES.
From the above, you will understand that the lives and future of my family depens
on this money, as such I will be grateful if you can assist us. We are now living
in South Africa as political Asylum seekers and financial laws and regulation of
the Republic of South Africa do not permit us financial rights to such huge sum
of money. In view of this, I cannot invest this fund in South africa, hence i am
prepared to offer you 20% of the total fund, while 10% will be set aside for local
and international expenses and 70% will be for my family and me. Finally,
modalities on howthe transfer will be bone will be conveyed to you once we have
established trust and confidence between ourselves. Please treat this matter as
very urgent.

Best regards,

TSEPO VUSI

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