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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: "Thomas Newman" <mo707es@netscape.net> (may be fake)
Reply-To: thomas1info@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:18:31 +0100
Subject: Attn:

FROM THE DESK OF MR THOMAS NEWMAN
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA!
DIRECTOR CREDIT CONTROLS DEPT.
Tel.Phone:+ 874 762921720
PRIVATE EMAIL:thomas1info@netscape.net
Strictly confidential

I know this proposal will come to you as a surprise especially when you do not know the writer, considering the huge sum of money involved which could make any apprehensive.
Let me start by introducing myself to you, I am Mr Thomas Newman, Director (Credit Control Dept.) FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA.

I want to believe that you will be very honest, committed and capable of assisting in this business venture. Firstly, let me explain the source of this funds and what you are expected to do. A foreigner late Allen P.Seaman, an oil merchant/contractor with the government of South Africa, until his death, over a year ago, was a victim of Kenya airways:(a310-300) flight kq430 plane crash. The deceased Engr. Allen P.Seaman, banked with us and has a closing balance worth $6.5m (Six million five hundred thousand US Dollars). My bank, now expects a next-of-kin to claim as the beneficiary of the funds, efforts has been made by FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA to get in touch with the baker's family or relative but to no success.

Based on the perceived possibility of not being able to locate Allen P.Seaman next-of-kin, the management under the influence of our chairman and the board of directors are making arrangements for the funds to be declared unclaimed and channelled to an unknown account.

It is based on this that we have contacted you to stand as the next-of-kin of late Engr. Allen P.Seaman so that the funds, will be released and paid into your account as the beneficiary and the next-of-kin to the deceased. All documents, and proof to enable you get the funds have been carefully worked out as we have secured from the different offices concerned for the smooth transfer of the fund to your nominated account. It has been agreed that the owner of the account will be compensated with 30% of the remitted funds, while we keep 65% and 5% will be set aside to offset expenses both locally and international. If this proposal satisfies you, please reach us only by mail or phone, for more information.

If difficult to get through to me, because of poor telecommunication system here, reply to this email : thomas1info@netscape.net

Respectfully Yours,
Mr. Thomas Newman,




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