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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: "Mr.Obed Hajj Amin." <obed_amin@maktoob.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: obedamin@maktoob.com
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:47:39 +0400
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE PLEASE

Dear,

This mail may not be surprising to you if you have been following current events in the international media with reference to the Middle East and Palestine in particular.

I am Mr. Obed Hajj Amin, son to late Hajj Amin Al-Husseini (nephew to late Mohammed Abd el-Rahman Abd el-Raouf Arafat Al-Qudwa Al-Husseini (Yaser Arafat), the Palestinian leader who died recently in Paris.

Since his death and even prior to the announcement, I have been thrown into a state of antagonism, confusion, humiliation, frustration and hopelessness by the present leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization who are trying to screw me because I worked with my father's nephew. I have even been subjected to physical and psychological torture. I have lost confidence with everybody in the country at the moment.
Before my own father's death, he made some bank deposits, security deposits and companies amount to substantial sums of money in the names of his children to be released to each of us at a given time though as a family treasure. I got to know about the money deposited in my name from our family lawyer who has been fond of me from childhood. In fact the total sum is equivalent to $15.75 Million Dollars which was deposited is a security company.
I have visited the security company for the release of the fund and was informed that I would require a foreigner because the fund was deposited for over sea investment. I also have written our family lawyer who promised that as soon as I present a foreign partner, he would release all the documents to us for the immediate transfer of the fund.
I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your bank account for safe keeping and any investment opportunity. This arrangement is known to you and our family Attorney. He might be dealing with you directly for security reasons as the case may be.

In view of the above, if you are willing to assist for our mutual benefits, we will have to negotiate on your percentage share of the $15,750,000 that will be kept in your possession for a while and be invested in your choice location while I meet you as soon as the money is transferred with you managing it till I finish my education probably in your place or any nice place chose for me.

Please do note that this is 100% risk free, although my father's relations and friends would not have knowledge of it. Therefore, it is confidential.

In case you don't accept this, please do not let me out to insecurity and international media as I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence. Meanwhile, I will gladly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith. Please reply through my private e-mail:(obedamin@maktoob.com </ym/Compose?To=obedamin@maktoob.com>) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Mr.Obed Hajj Amin.


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