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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: MICHAEL NWACHUKWU <michaelnwachukwu@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 09:42:18 +0100
Subject: MY DEAR HSU

Dear Madam/Sir ,


How are you ?hope fine .i feel the surprise this
mail will bring to you at first sight .but i assure
you that i come with the best of intentions and good will. Let me
firstly introduce myself to you .


I am Mr Michael Nwachukwu an Accountant with a Security company. I
came to know You in my private search for a reliable and reputable
person to handle this confidential transaction which involve the
transfer of a huge sum of money to a foreign account requiring maximum
confidence.


A foreigner ,late Engr Johnson Hsu, ,an oil merchant
/contractor with our government ,until his death 2 years ago After a
brief illness , Deposited with my company ,and had a closing balance
of U.S$15. M (Fifteen million dollars ) which the deposited
unquestionablly expects it to be claimed by any available foreign nex
t-of-kin of the late beneficiary or alternatively be donated to the or
converted to personal funds by the goverment officials. Fervent
valuable effort are being made by security company to get in touch
with any of the Hsu , family or relative but prove to no avail.


It is 'cos of the percieved possibility of not been able to locate any
of the late Engr Johnson Hsu , next-of-kin,That I have
successfully manipulated the fund and coverd it up till now,with the
files covering the fund under my care.


At the favour of this plan i now seek your permission to have you
stand as the next-of-kin to late Engr Johnson Hsu ,so that the
fund us$15.M would be released and paid into your nominated bank
account as the beneficiary next-of-kin . All documents and prove to
enable you get this fund will be-carefully worked out . And more so we
are assuring you of 100% risk free involvement.


It is expected that the transaction will run for 12 to 13 banking
days, so your immediate reply is needed with your interest indicated
so that all necessary procedures will cormence. We have agreed that
the fund will be shared thus ,after it has been transfered into your
account .

1, 25% of the fund will be allocated to you for acting as the
beneficiary of the fund.


2, 5% will be set aside for reimbursment to both
parties for any incidental expenses that may be incured in the course
of thetransfer .


3, 70% for us the originators of the transaction.
you can still discuss your interest as regards the sharing of the fund.


Your reply is highly expected.


Kindly get to me immediately ,by furnishing me with
your confidential phone number,fax number and exclusive bank
particulars so that we can use these information to apply for the
release and subsequent transfer of the funds in your favour .


Thanking you in anticipation of your co-operation.please if your very
ready to assist reply this mail Via michaelnwachukwu@netscape.net

Yours Sincerely ,
MR MICHAEL NWACHUKWU
--

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