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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: achaben013@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 01:53:10 -0800
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: RTD.LT.COL ACHA BENSON
TEL. 27-83-3413608

PRESIDENT/CEO,
I know you will be surprised to receive this letter. Iam Retired Lt. Col. ACHA
Benson of the Republic of Sierra Leone and former Aide De Camp of incumbent President
Alhaji Tejan Kabbah. I got your contact through South Africa Information Exchange
(S.A.IE) regarding your trustworthiness; as such I decided to ask for your assistance
to transfer some money out of South Africa into your personal or company account.

The incumbent President, Alhaji Tejan Kabbah, successfully took over from the former
Military Rebel Leader Foday Sankoh after a democratic election. Alhaji Tejan Kabbah
ruled peacfully for a few months. However, barely nine months in government, the
RUF Rebels led by Mr. Koromah rebelled against the goverment. Ever since then, my
country has been at war. Due to this war, public funds and properties have been
constantly looted and stolen by soldiers and government functionaries. They were
busy helping themselves with government funds, properties and sending them to foreign
countries. Due ti this development, when I and my two colleagues were assigned by
the President to convey some money to his guest house, we saw this as a golden
opportunity to divert this money which we shared and I got a total sum of Eighteen
Million, United States Dollars(US$ 18 Million).

I quickly made arrangements, to convey my share of this money into South Africa and
it now deposited with a Security Company. Iam presently living in South Africa as an
asylum seeker and the financial laws of the Republic of South Africa do not allow
asylum seekers certain financial rights. In view of this, coupled with the way in
which this money was acquired, I decided not to invest this money anywhere in Africa
hence, my asking you to assist me transfer this money outside South Africa for
investment purpose.

For your efforts, I am prepared to offer you 20% (US$3.6 Million) of the total sum of
the money if you will assist me transfer this money into your account overseas.
I have also decided to use 5% (US$900,000.00) of this money to settle for any
expenses both of us may incur during the process of this transfer. The balance I
intend to invest in profitable ventures in your country or else where you may advice.

From the above, you will understand that my entire life and future depends on this
money,as such I shall be very greatful if you can assist me. Please note that this
transaction is 100% risk free. The major thing I demand from you is absolute
assurance that the money will be safe when transferred into your account. If you
will be of assistance, kindly contact me on the above telephone number or e-mail
address. Even when you decide otherwise, I will be most grateful if you can mantain
the confidentiality of this matter.
I am looking forward to your urgent reply.

Best regards.
RTD.LT.COL.ACHA BENSON

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