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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: "osimiri osimiri" <oosimiri@msn.com>
Reply-To: osimiri@rickymail.com
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 08:40:45 +0000
Subject: COME FOR IMMEDIATE HELP IN EUROPE

My confidential email addresses: osimiri@rickymail.com
email: osimiri@wanadoo.es
 
Dear Friend,
 
I am Mr. O. Osimiri branch Manager of Savannah Security&finance  company Plc.Lagos, Nigeria. I have urgent and a very confidential  business proposal for you, but how do one explain the situation in Nigeria where there are lots of Miscreants and this has made it  difficult for me to contact any one about this transaction, hence I  deem it necessary that peradventure you are not interested with this information/proposal, that you let me know by a return mail, infact a lot has been said and a lot of efforts has been put in by the  government and private /financial institutions to sanitize our Environments.
 
However my proposal is about what is on ground, and is genuine, and  the deal is as follows, On June 6, 1997, a Foreign Oil consultant/contractor with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Barry Kelly made a number of (Fixed) deposits of  twelve calendar months,valued at US$20,000,000.00(Twenty Million  Dollars only) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a  month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract  employers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that Mr. Barry  Kelly died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I  found out that he died without making a (WILL), and all attempts to  trace his next of kin was fruitless therefore I made further investigation and discovered that Mr.Barry Kelly did not declare any  next of kin or any relation in all his official documents, including  his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.
 
This sum of US$20,000,000.00 is now in our affliate bank in Europe  waiting for the next of kin of Mr. Barry Kelly to come forward and  claim it. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a  Foreigner to stand as the next of kin of Mr. Barry Kelly owner of the  money but we must provide all necessary documents before you will  claim the fund.
 
This transaction will cost us some money for proper  documentations/records process from the Nigerian national petroleum  corporation, and all the ministries, which Mr. Barry Kelly worked. So please take note that this is not a child's play. I will like you to  provide immediately.

(1) your full names
(2) your private Telephone/fax numbers
(3) your address
(5) your age and occupation so that I will use it to get all the  necessary documents that will back-up the claim which I will send to  you through courier services (D.H.L).
 
I have some money with me which I will use in providing the necessary  documents but if the money that I have at hand is not enough to get  all the documents, you have to help financially but I think the money  will be enough to get the documents.
 
The money will be share in the ratio of 85% for me and 15% for you so  If you are interested, please reply immediately through my confidential email addresses: osimiri@rickymail.com  email: osimirio@wanadoo.es
 
Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details. Please  observe with utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this  transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall  require your assistance to invest my share in your country and also it  is 100% risk-free. It will not in any way implicate you or tarnish  your image, so do not entertain any fear whatsoever and do not disclose or discuss it with anybody to avoid any leakage.
 
Note: It is not compulsory that you must be physically present at the bank for the claim of the fund.
 
Thanks and regards.
Mr. O. Osimiri
 

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