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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: mi_biros@terra.com.mx
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 12:32:28 +0000
Subject: SEEKING FOR A TRUSTEE

MICHAEL BIROS
TELEPHONE:+22507406537
ABIDJAN,COTE D'IVORIE
WEST AFRICAN

ATTN:

DEAR ONE,

I AM MICHAEL BIROS, THE ONLY SON OF LATE MR AND MRS.SAMUEL BIROS.
MY FATHER WAS A VERY WEALTHY COCOA MERCHANT BASED IN ABIDJAN, THE
ECONOMIC CAPITAL OF IVORY COAST BEFORE HE WAS POISONED TO DEATH BY HIS
BUSINESS ASSOCIATES ON ONE OF THEIR OUTING TO DISCUSS ON A BUSINESS.
WHEN MY MOTHER DIED ON THE 21ST OCTOBER 1986, MY FATHER TOOK ME SO SPECIAL
BECAUSE I WAS MOTHERLESS.

BEFORE THE DEATH OF MY FATHER ON 29TH JUNE 2003 IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL
HERE IN ABIDJAN. HE SECRETLY CALLED ME ON HIS BEDSIDE AND TOLD ME THAT
HE HAS A SUM OF US$20,500,000 (TWENTY MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND,
UNITED STATES DOLLARS) LEFT IN A SUSPENCE ACCOUNT IN A LOCAL BANK HERE
IN ABIDJAN, THAT HE USED MY NAME FOR THE NEXT OF KIN IN DEPOSIT OF THE

FUND.

HE ALSO EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS WEALTH THAT HE WAS
POISONED BY HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES. THAT I SHOULD SEEK FOR A FOREIGN
PARTNER IN A COUNTRY OF MY CHOICE WHERE I WILL TRANSFER THIS MONEY AND
USE IT FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSE FOR MY FUTURE .

I AM HONOURABLY SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS.

1)TO PROVIDE A BANK ACCOUNT WHERE THIS MONEY WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO
2)TO SERVE AS THE GUARDIAN OF THIS FUND SINCE I AM A BOY OF 19 YEARS
3)TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR ME TO COME OVER TO YOUR COUNTRY AFTER THE MONEY
HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED.

I AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU 15% OF THE TOTAL SUM AS COMPENSATION FOR
YOUR EFFORT/INPUT AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER OF THIS FUND TO YOUR
NORMINATED ACCOUNT OVERSEAS.

ANTICAIPTING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME TO SHOW YOUR
KIND INTEREST TO HELP ME.

THANKS AND GOD BLESS
MICHAEL BIROS.

___________________________________________________________________________
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