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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: "SAMUEL WEMBA" <wemsaml@yahoo.ca> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 05:19:10 -0700
Subject: ASSISTANCE??

Attention:

My name is Mr. Samuel Wemba, the son of Late Mr. Wemba Koffi of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address; I got it from the internet when i was searching for a honest person. Don't be worried because I am contacting you in good faith.

During the crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers. Wemba was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing that he did not support the President
political ideology, the president supporters invaded my father's farm and burnt down everything, killed him and my mother confiscated all his investments.
I will like you to take a look on these website <http://www.rte.ie/news/2000/0418/zimbabwe.html>


Before this unpleasant incident, my parents had already visited Lome-Togo to deposit the sum of twenty-seven Million, United States Dollars ($27M) in the safe vault of a Security company here in Lome-Togo. This action was taken because Wemba felt the growing tension on the farm issue but I guess he never anticipated the tragedy that brought their brutal and sudden death.

At the time of deposition, the real content was not disclosed to the security officials; instead, it was deposited as Family Valuables.
After the bloody incident, I and my sister had to escape out of our country for the safety of our lives. We seek refuge in Lome-Togo and we were permitted to reside here as Political Refugees under section (5.9).

Because of our present and unpleasant status, my sister and I are contacting you to assist us with the convenient and legal transfer of the funds out of Lome-Togo. All the ducuments contening the said fund is with my fathers attorny here in Lome---Togo.

If my proposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 15% of the total fund, and 5% of the total will be used to balance up any expenses incurred during this transaction.
80%will be for us to buy shares in your company or investing in your country under your supervision and buy house over there.


I would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our correspondence. Your immediate response will be highly
welcomed.

I wait urgent reply God bless you.
Samuel Wemba


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