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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: "Stella Sigcau" <stellasicau@sunumail.sn>
Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 01:35:00 +0000
Subject: please reach me asap

Dear Friend,
I am contacting you to front as a co-owner of my late husband's company
and beneficiary of funds (US$25,000,000.00) due the company.
I am currently a high ranking government official in the ruling cabinet
of President Thabo Mbeki (South Africa). I am a widow and mother of two
children. My late husband Mr Ronald Tshabalala died 1996.
After his death, I recently discovered that an over-invoiced proceeds
of a contract I helped his company secure is yet to be paid out by the
Reserve Bank of South Africa.
This funds emanated as a result of an over-invoiced contract which my
husband's company executed with the Government of South Africa. I am
afraid that the government of South Africa might start to investigate
on contracts awarded from 1995 to date. If they discover this money yet
unclaimed with my husband's name linked to it, the government will
confiscate the money and seize his assets here in South Africa and this
will definitely affect my political career in Government.
I want your assistance to front as a co-owner of his company
(Tshabalala Construction Company, LTD) to facilitate the release of the
funds. I will introduce a very good attorney to assist us with the
transfer process without any hitch but he will not be told my interest
in the transaction as I play a very sensitive role in my government. As
the contract was executed in my present government department, be rest
assured that I will use my position to approve the immediate release of
the entitlement. As soon as the funds is released in your name, you are
expected to move it immediately into your personal bank account in your
country. As soon as you have confirmed receipt of the funds into your
account, I will arrange to meet with you.
If you agree to my proposal, please endeavour to send me an urgent
reply, via my personal email address stellasicau@sunumail.sn as
you receieve this mail. Due to my sensitive position in the South
African Government, I would not want you to phone or fax me.
The lawyer I will recommend to assist us will be representing our
interest at the Reserve Bank of South Africa and all necessary
quarters.
All future correspondence must be made either to the attorney or
myself.I am reposing huge trust on you regardless of your being a total
stranger. Upon your reply, we shall dicuss your percentage for your
assistance.
Because of my sensitive position as serving government official, I will
only give you more details of myself when we proceed further and I am
sure of your sincerity.
Thank you.
Stella Sigcau.
Honesty and transparency, they are my best work tools and virtues.




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