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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: "steve pedro" <stevepedro1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: stevepedro4@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 15:54:39 +0000
Subject: FUND TRANSFER & INVESTMENTS

FROM: MR.STEVE PEDRO
TEL : +27-73-36-36-291
ADDRESS : NO. 35 MARTIN AVENUE
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA

E mail -stevepedro6@hotmail.com

ATTN: DIRECTOR /CEO.


You may be surprise to receive this letter from me since you don't know me
personally.I am Mr.STEVE PEDRO the son of Dr JOHN PEDRO , who was recently
murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe.I got your contact through Network
on line in my search for a reliable and reputable
person to handle a very confidential transaction which involves a transfer
of fund to a foreign
account and I decided to write you, My Late Father was among the Zimbabwean
Rich Farmers

murdered in Cold Blood by the agents of the ruling government of President
Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean
opposition party controlled by the white
minority. Before his death he had taken to Johannesburg - South Africa to
deposit the sum of US$25.5 Million (Twenty Five Million Five Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars)with a Security and Finance Company as if he
foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe.

The money was deposite din a Box as valuables to avoid much demurrage from
the Security Company. This money was embarked from the purchase of New
Machinery and Chemical for Farms and the establishment of new farms in
Lesotho and Swaziland. This land problem arose when President Robert Mugabe
introduced a new land act that wholly affected the Rich White Farmers
and some few blacks vehemently condemned the "Modus Operandi" adopted by
the government. This resulted to rampant killing and mob action by the war
veterans and some political thugs. Precisely, More than thirty-one
(31)people have so far been killed.

Heads of governments from the west,especially Britain and United States of
America have voiced their condemnation of Mugabe'splan. Subsequently,
South African Development Community (S.A.D.C) has continuously supported
Mugabe's new land act, it is against this background that I and my family
who are currently residing in South Africa have decided to transfer my
Father's money into a Foreign Account.

As the eldest son of my Father, I am saddled with the responsibility of
seeking a genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred
without the knowledge of my government who are tactically freezing our
family wealth and South Africa's government seems to be playing along with
them. I am faced with the dilemma of investing this money in South Africa
for fear of encountering the same experience in future since both countries
have almost the same political history.

More so, the South African Foreign Exchange polica does not allow such
investment hence we are seeking for an "ASYLUM". As a business person whom I
entrusted my future and that of my family into his hands, I must let you
know that this transaction is 100% risk free and the
nature of your business does not necessarily matter. For your assistance,
we are offering you 30% of the total sum, 60% for Me and My Family while
10% will be mapped out for any expenses we may incure during the course of
this transaction. We wish to invest our part of the money on commercial
property based on your advice.

Finally, all we demand from you is assurance that you will not sit on this
money when it finally gets to your personal or company's account in your
country. If this proposal is acceptable by you, please confirm your interest
via the above TEL number or E-MAIL me.

Best Regards.

STEVE PEDRO

(For the Family).


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