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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: "bren akin" <brenakin13@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 12:39:45 +0000
Subject: Call Me for confirmation and what next to do !!!!!!!

FROM:MR.BREN AKIN...
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT.
BANQUE TOGOLAISE POUR LE COMMERCE ET L'INDUSTRIE,
LOME-TOGO. DIRECT NUMBER 002289342859

Dear friend,

I, MR.BREN AKIN..the director in charge of auditing and accounting section
of Banque Togolaise Pour Le Commerce Et L'Industrie Lome-Togo in West Africa
with due respect and regard. I have decided tocontact you on a business
transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the
transaction . During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my
department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased
person who died on November 1st 1999 in a plane crash and the fund has been
dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our
custody either from his family or relation before our discovery to this
development.

The said amount was (U.S $8.5M UNITED STATES DOLLARS).
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this
great business opportunity.
In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foreign
account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because I work in this bank.

This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who
will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to
the Bank and also present a foreign account where he will need the money to
be re-transfer red into on his request as it may be after due verification
and clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where the whole
money will be remitted from to your own designation bank account. I will not
fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. Please, you have
been adviced to keep "top secret" as we are still in service and intend to
retire from service after we conclude this deal with you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account, and ask us to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when
I hear from you. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating
your wish in this deal.

KINDLY EMAIL ME AFTER GOING THROUGH THIS MAIL.

Marrital status.................
Age...........................
phone number.. ..............
fax number..................

Yours faithfully,
MR.BREN AKIN...

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