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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: "Maxwell Ibom" <maxwellibom1@maxwellaudit.com>
Reply-To: maxwelibom@portugalmail.pt
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 11:39:38 +0000
Subject: IN GOOD FAITH, .... from Maxwell

Dear friend,

Let me start by introducing myself, I am Mr. Maxwell Ibom an audit officer
in union bank plc. I have a concealed business suggestion for you. Though we
do not know each other but I came to you through the internet and was
inspired to seek your total co-operation.

My main point of contacting you is to stand as the next of kin to Mr. Jarold
Freeman who died together with her wife (Barbara) and kids in plane crash in
1999. You can take a look at the homepage bellow:
http://www.greatdreams.com/PassEAir990.htm

During his life time, he made a numbered fixed deposit account for a 12
calendar months with the value of $30M USD in our branch, right now the
money is floating with principal and interest in our branch and since his
death no one has come across to claim this money.

The law of country is that any money that is more than 5 years in a fixed
deposit account will reverts to government treasury.

What are you expect to do?

I want you to please provide me your full name, full contact address and
private tel/fax numbers repectively so that i can write an application
letter for claim to enable this money transferred to your account.

Remember to keep this business within yourself. It is only me and you that
know this business apart from God.

The money is to be shared at ratio of 55% for me, 40% to you and 5% for any
expenses both parties would be incurred during the process.

Please if you are interested, do not hesitate to get back to me for further
details. My alternative email address is; maxwelibom@portugalmail.pt

Thanks,

Sincerely yours,
Mr. Maxwell Ibom.


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