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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: "George Moyo" <geo_moyo@libero.it> (may be fake)
Reply-To: geo_moyo@ureach.com
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:03:43 +0000
Subject: For your eyes only

PLEASE PERMIT ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF I AM RTD COL GEORGE MOYO
FORMER CSO (chief security officer)TO PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR OF REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA,I AM CONTACTING YOU IN RESPECT OF A VERY SENSITIVE TRANSACTION WITH WHICH I WOULD VERY MUCH REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE.

IN 1998 A DEPOSIT WAS ORDERED TO BE MADE BY MY FORMER BOSS WITH EQUITY SECURITY AND FINANCE SARL LOME TOGO FOR SAFE KEEPING.I PERSONALLY SUPERVICED THE DEPOSITION OF THE SUM OF $16M USD IN CASH WHICH WAS DEPOSITED BY MR ALBIZU SANCHEZ FROM ARGENTINA WHO WAS A PERSONAL FRIEND OF MR CHARLES TAYLOR AS FAMILY TREASURE.

SINCE MY FORMER BOSS WAS SENT INTO NEGOTIATED EXILE AND WE WERE PROBED,I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THE PAPERS OF THAT DEPOSIT WHERE I KEPT THEM BECAUSE A LOT THINGS WERE SCATTERED BUT I AM HAPPY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT NOW I HAVE IN MY POSSESION THE DOCUMENTS FOR THE SUM OF $16M USD (SIXTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS).

I AM NOW STAYING IN LOME CAPITAL OF REPUBLIC OF TOGO NOW ON REFUGEE PAPERS,BUT LOOKING FOR A REASONABLE PERSON WHOM I WILL GIVE THE DOCUMENTS AND GUIDE TO CLAIM THE DEPOSIT FOR ME.IT IS HUNDRED PERCENT POSSIBLE IF YOU LISTEN TO MY INSTRUCTIONS.IT WOULD BE VERY NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME PERSONALLY TO COLLECT THIS MONEY WITHOUT USING SOMEONE ELSE WHOM I WILL GIVE THE INFORMATION SO I AM NOW PROPOSING TO PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFICIARY OF THAT DEPOSIT SO THAT THEY WILL RELEASE IT TO YOU,I PREFER A FOREIGNER FOR CLEAR REASONS.


I MAKE THIS CONTACT IN THE HOPE THAT YOU WILL ASSIST ME IN PUTTING A CLAIM WHICH I WILL GUIDE YOU ON HOW TO DO.FOR THIS ASSISTANCE I AM WILLING TO GIVE 35% OF THE TOTAL SUM WHILE 5% WILL BE USED FOR THE DEFRAYAL OF INCIDENTAL EXPENSES INCURRED FOR SETTLEMENTS,YOU MAY NOT NEED TO COME DOWN HERE FOR THIS BUT YOU CAN CONCLUDE EVERYTHING THROUGH EMAIL AND FAX/PHONE.

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO ME SO THAT WE MAY BEGIN DISCUSSIONS. THIS OPPORTUNITY WHICH I CONSIDER VERY RARE AND PROMISING IS ONE THAT I CANNOT ALLOW TO PASS ME BY CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT I NEARLY LOST EVERYTHING I POSSES WHEN PRESIDENT TAYLOR WENT INTO EXILE IN THE REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

I WISH TO STATE HERE THAT TRUST SHOULD BE A WATCHWORD IF WE ARE TO WORK TOGETHER AND NEED I REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BECAUSE OF CLEAR REASONS PLEASE. YOU MAY NOT DISCLOSE THIS TO ANYONE UNTIL WE CLEAR THIS FUNDS PLEASE VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU REMEMBER THIS.

BEST REGARDS
RTD COL GEORGE MOYO



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