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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: achaben001@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 07 Jul 2005 09:59:13 +0200
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL


FROM: RTD.LT.COL ACHA BENSON
EMAIL :achaz2005@websurfer.co.za
TEL. 27-83-3413608

PRESIDENT/CEO

I know you will be surprised to receive this letter. Iam Retired Lt. Col. ACHA Benson of
the Republic of Sierra Leone and former Aide De Camp of incumbent President Alhaji Tejan
Kabbah. I got your contact through South Africa Information Exchange (S.A.IE) regarding
your trustworthiness; as such I decided to ask for your assistance to transfer some money
out of South Africa into your personal or company account.

The incumbent President, Alhaji Tejan Kabbah, successfully took over from the former Military
Rebel Leader Foday Sankoh after a democratic election. Alhaji Tejan Kabbah ruled peacfully
for a few months. However, barely nine months in government, the RUF Rebels led by Mr. Koromah
rebelled against the goverment. Ever since then, my country has been at war. Due to this war,
public funds and properties have been constantly looted and stolen by soldiers and government
functionaries. They were busy helping themselves with government funds, properties and sending
them to foreign countries. Due ti this development, when I and my two colleagues were assigned
by the President to convey some money to his guest house, we saw this as a golden opportunity
to divert this money which we shared and I got a total sum of Eighteen Million, United States
Dollars(US$ 18 Million).

I quickly made arrangements, to convey my share of this money into South Africa and it now
deposited with a Security Company. Iam presently living in South Africa as an asylum seeker
and the financial laws of the Republic of South Africa do not allow asylum seekers certain
financial rights. In view of this, coupled with the way in which this money was acquired, I
decided not to invest this money anywhere in Africa hence, my asking you to assist me transfer
this money outside South Africa for investment purpose.

For your efforts, I am prepared to offer you 20% (US$3.6 Million) of the total sum of the
money if you will assist me transfer this money into your account overseas. I have also
decided to use 5% (US$900,000.00) of this money to settle for any expenses both of us may
incur during the process of this transfer. The balance I intend to invest in profitable
ventures in your country or else where you may advice.

From the above, you will understand that my entire life and future depends on this money,as
such I shall be very greatful if you can assist me. Please note that this transaction is
100% risk free. The major thing I demand from you is absolute assurance that the money will
be safe when transferred into your account. If you will be of assistance, kindly contact me
on the above telephone number or e-mail address ( achaz2005@websurfer.co.za). Even when you
decide otherwise, I will be most grateful if you can mantain the confidentiality of this matter.
I am looking forward to your urgent reply.

Best regards.

RTD.LT.COL.ACHA BENSON


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