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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: "Marife derona" <marifederona2003@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2005 12:46:49 +0000
Subject: PLEASE READ AND GET BACK TO ME

MRS MARIFE DERONA
CREDIT ACCOUNTS OFFICER
HEAD OFFICE EQUITABLE PCI BANK TWR.
MKT AVENUE.COR.H.V DELA COSTA STR
PHILIPPPINES .
Dear Sir/Madam,
Let me start by introducing myself,i am MRS MARIFE DERONA,CREDIT
ACCOUNTS OFFICER EQUITABLE PCI BANK.
I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at my
bank, which I will like to bring to your personal edification. I am
writing you this letter with so much joy and excitement even though my
heart goes out to the very powerful and distinguished gentleman who I
was fortunate to have worked for and extremely privileged to have known
for numerous years. I am a top official in charge of client accounts in
EQUITABLE PCI BANK.
inside the philippines.
In 2001, my client was going through a horrendous divorce in the
United States Of America and was on the verge of losing most of his
estate to his vicious and diabolical wife. As a result of this alarming
predicament, my client came to me with a very brilliant idea. He
transferred some funds, ten million two hundred thousand
dollars(usd10.2m) to a fixed deposit account in my bank under an alias which
only the
two of us knew about as the confidentiality of the matter was necessary
for his protection. Due to his untimely death in early 2002, the funds
have been sitting in the account ever since and will continue to do so
perpetually unless we do something about it. This is where you come
in.I located you through an agency that helps seek people by their
email.my client did not declare any next of kin in his official papers
including the paper work of his bank deposit.Against this backdrop, my
suggestion to you is that I would like you as a foreigner to stand as th!
e next of kin to our client so that you will be able to receive his
funds.
I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that
we can come out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will
prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin
to my client.All that is required from you at
this stage is for you to provide me with your Full
Names and Address so that the attorney can commence
his job.After you have been made the next of kin, the
attorney will also file in for claims on your behalf
and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favor for the move of the funds
to an account that will be provided by you.
There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we
are going adopt a legalized method and the attorney
will prepare all the necessary documents.The
allocation of our money will be as follows: 20%(US$2.02M) to you for
your part in this, 75% for me and my partners and 5% for any
unforeseeable expenses we may incur. I think this is extremely fair, as
you have nothing to lose but just a little time, while on the other
hand I am staking my flawless reputation among other things. And besides
$2.02 million is no pocket change. Once you are approved, the entire
transaction should take no longer than twelve business days after which we
will go about our daily business, but just millions of dollars richer.
As you can see this is easier than taking candy from a baby
but mind you, trust is something that is developed over time and that
is
something that we do not have. So I have to let you know that it will
highly unfeasible to try to run away with the money because even though
only you can transfer money in and out of your account, the transfer
can only be authorized by my department of which i happen to be the
head.The money will be transfered from my bank to an account you will
provide. So please, there should be no room for greed because ten million
two
hundred thousand dollars can quench even the most insatiable desire for
the almighty dollar.
Again, i will be in charge of everything else. I will assume
all responsibilities for this endeavor so you don’t have to worry about
any legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money.
Your urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me
for more details on this transaction as soon as possible.i can also be
reached at marifederona2003@yahoo.com it is more convenient for me.
This should be kept very secret and
confidential… I believe you know.
kind Regards
Mrs. Marife Derona esq.


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