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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: "MR USMAN SHERIF" <usman_sherif@usmansherif.com>
Date: Fri, 01 Jul 2005 11:22:41 +0000
Subject: Dear friend

FROM:MR USMAN SHERIF.
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
BANQUE TOGOLAISE POUR LE COMMERCE ET L'INDUSTRIE,
LOME- TOGO.


Dear friend,


I am MR Usman Sherif, 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 to contact 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 MR JOHN SCHELPERT a deceased
person who died on October 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. Although personally, I keep this information secret within
myself and partners to enable the whole plans and idea be Profitable and
successful during the time of execution.

The said amount was (U.S $8.5M UNITED STATES DOLLARS), As it may interest
you to know, I got your impressive information through my good friends who
works with chamber of commerce on foreign business relations here in Lome-
Togo. It is him who recommended your person to me to be viable and capable
to champion a business of such magnitude without any problem.

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 me 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-transferred 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. On smooth
conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum
as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of expenses that
may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills, while 60%
will be for me. Please, you have been adviced to keep "top secret" as i am
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 me 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 me
to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when
I hear from you. Please your urgent reply should be sent to
;(usman_sherif202@yahoo.com).Thanks


Yours Faithfully


Usman Sherif


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