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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: "MARCUS BOTHA" <engr_marcus06@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: engr_sullivan1@login.cz
Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2005 13:06:20 -0400
Subject: From Mr. Botha

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Engineer Marcus Botha
Shell Petroleum South Africa.
E-mail: engr_sullivan1@login.cz
Attn: MANAGING DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT/CEO
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Engineer Marcus Botha, a Director of the Contracts Award and review
Department with the Shell petroleum South Africa. I am contacting you on the
business of transferring the sum of US$20,500,000.00.(Twenty Million, five
Hundred thousand United States Dollars only) into a safe foreign account and
the need is very urgent. I got your contact from the South-Africa Chambers
of
Commerce and it is with business trust that made me to contact you on this
matter.I write to solicit for the transfer of this money into your account.
This Money was generated from an over Invoiced contract sum in my
corporation.I am contacting you for your help and partnership for the
following two reasons:
(1) As a civil servant, I am not permitted to own foreign accounts due to
civil service code of conduct.
(2) My present financial resources as a civil servant will not be sufficient
for me to handle the transfer alone successfully without financial
assistance from a reliable foreign partner abroad like you. 20% of this sum
would be for you as compensation for using your Bank account in transferring
this money, 5% would be used to re-imburse the expenses made by both parties
during
the processing of the transfer which includes, telephone bills, aveling
expenses and fees. While 75% is for me. Please note that I will arrange to
meet with you immediately after the successful conclusion of the transfer,
the 75% share of mine will be used for investment overseas. Your assistance
and co-operation is highly needed. I assure you that this transaction is
100% risk free. If you are interested I will require your banking
information as mentioned below:
1. Name to be used as beneficiary and beneficiary address.
2. Your private and confidential telephone/ fax number(s)and Cell phone.
3. Your bank name and address, your bank Telephone and fax number(s).
I hope to conclude this business within the next fourteen- (14) working
days.Looking forward to your anticipated and urgent positive response via
e-mail. at: engr_sullivan1@login.cz
Best regards,
Marcus Botha


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