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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: "Mr. Emmanuel Shaw." <emmanuelshaw@yahoo.com.sg> (may be fake)
Reply-To: emlshaw@eml.cc
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 10:31:50 +0000
Subject: Re: Urgent Attention.

DEAR VALUED FRIEND,

I MAKE THIS APPEAL WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ANY FACTS OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY ME, ARE GIVEN IN CONFIDENCE AND SOLELY FOR YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND USE.

I GOT YOUR ADDRESS THROUGH THE INTERNET CONSULTANCY DIRECTORY. I AM Mr. Emmanuel Shaw A FORMER FINANCE MINISTER IN THE FORMER GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA UNDER Mr Charles Taylor. I AM DESPERATELY SEEKING FOR A REPUTABLE FOREIGN PARTNER WHO I CAN TRUST AND USE HIS COMPANY OR PERSONAL CONTACT TO TRANSFER SOME FUNDS WHICH I DEPOSITED WITH A WEST AFRICAN FINANCE COMPANY IN DAKAR, SENEGAL.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT DEPOSITED IS SEVEN MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS IN A FIXED DEPOSIT ACCOUNT. THIS MONEY YOU MAY WISH TO KNOW, IS PART OF GRATIFICATIONS I RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN CONTRACTORS, AND THROUGH TRADING IN DIAMONDS WHILE I WAS IN GOVERNMENT. THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT HAS IMPOSED ECONOMIC SACTIONS ON ME, AND MY ASSETS FROZEN IN LINE WITH A UNITED NATION'S RESOLUTION. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3758828.stm

THE RECEIVER OF THIS FUND WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ALL APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM THIS MONEY AFTER ENTERING AN AGREEMENT OF NON-CIRCUMVENTIAL, NON-DISCLOSURE AND ALL PRIVILAGES HAVE BEEN TRANSFERED IN HIS FAVOUR. I HAVE CONCLUDED ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE FINANCE COMPANY FOR EFFECTIVE TRANSFER OF THE MONEY INTO THE RECEIVER'S NOMINATED FOREIGN ACCOUNT FOR SAFE-CUSTODY, WHERE IT CANNOT BE TRACED.

IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR ASSISTANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER YOU 30% OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT. YOU ALSO STAND THE CHANCE OF ASSISTING ME FOR FUTURE INVESTMENT OF MY SHARE.

THIS TRANSACTION, ALTHOUGH DISCRETE, IS LEGITIMATE AND THERE IS NO RISK OR LEGAL LIABILITY EITHER TO YOURSELF OR MYSELF NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, AS I HAVE PUT IN PLACE THE NECESSARY MACHINERIES THAT WILL ENSURE A HITCH FREE TRANSFER.

ON ACCEPTANCE OF THIS OFFER, YOU WILL BE INTRODUCED TO MY REPRESENTATIVE IN DAKAR, SENEGAL WHO YOU WILL LIAISE DIRECTLY WITH AND WHO WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS THAT WILL ENABLE YOU SECURE THIS FUND. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER MY URGENT REQUEST.

SINCERELY,

Mr. EMMANUEL SHAW.


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