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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: "Carlos Msika Amandos" <carlosamandos@jumpy.it> (may be fake)
Reply-To: carlosamandos@netscape.net
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 14:44:41 +0200
Subject: Plea for Business Assistance

Dear Sir

Plea for Business Assistance

Permit me to introduce myself. I am Mr. Carlos Amandos, a member of The Board of First Rand Bank Limited with head office in sandton, South Africa. I am the executive director in charge of Accounts and Managements Department of the bank. The Board of directors have mandated me to contact he next of kin to our late client Mr. Ramash Hoh, may his soul rest in peace. Mr. Hoh died in a ghastly auto accident on his way from vacation along with members of his family, on the 21st of April 2003 last year, and all efforts to contact his immediate family members have been in vain, Mr.
Hoh is a Malaysian citizen and the Managing Director of Deep Blue Sea Services, his company was involved in mining exploration and drilling in Sandton. The late Mr. Hoh had both current and saving accounts with us, estimated at, US $13,500,000 ($13.5Million Dollars) and I happen to be his
account manager, when we received the unfortunate information about his death and of his family members, we contacted his country embassy to assist us to locate members of his family back home in Malaysia, so that they can come forward to claim his funds, but unfortunately after three months, the embassy informed us that all efforts to trace his immediate family was unsuccessful. It was at this point that we decided to notify the South Africa authorities in line with laid down regulations.
The authorities then instructed our bank to place the fund in a special account until the relatives of Mr. Hoh are found, which we did, but the events of the last two weeks made the Board of our bank to hold an emergency meeting to decide on what step to take.

The Government of South Africa wrote to us giving us till the end of March this year 2003 to locate the relatives of the late Mr. Hoh and release the funds to them, or the money will use for the reconstruction of the country. Our bank was not happy about this development because we felt the money should be used to support charity organizations and improve the poor health care system .
I then decided to act very fast to intercept the government from their inhumane intentions. It was at this point that I was mandated to contact you with the hope that you will understand the urgency of this situation and assist us prevent the government from achieving their selfish intentions. I have made arrangements that your acceptance to cooperate with us, I shall present you as the next of kin to the late Mr. Hoh. So that the money will be released to you. Your nationality does not matter as we have arranged provisions, as you could be an uncle from his mothers side which equally makes you the next of kin. I shall provide you with the vital information about the late Mr. Hoh as contained in our file. I have decided that 20% of the money will go to Charity homes while the rest will be shared between you and us .Some of the benefiting charity homes will be nominated by you in your country while I shall nominate The rest from my country. Also you will invest my share for me for a p
eriod of two years in any profit-making venture you may decide and you will be absolutely free to use your share in whatever you decide.

Sir, should you be interested to assist in this matter kindly send to me your private Telephone and fax numbers for safe communications. I however, want to assure you that your involvement will not expose you to any risks now or in future as I have done my home work very well. I have absolute
confidence in your ability to effectively handle this matter successfully. Do not hesitate to contact me should you need additional information or any clarifications so that we do not waste anytime.
I thank you very much while I look forward to your anticipated prompt response.

Best regards.

Mr. Carlos Msika Amandos


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