joewein.net   joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days
  jwSpamSpy

Home
About Us
Spam
419/Nigeria
Fraud
Contact

"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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: wilirt@yahoo.ca
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2005 12:42:00 +0200
Subject: FAMILY ASSISTANCE) PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP

FROM:MR.WILIAM WEMBA
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA
TEL: + 27-73-9842-416
E-MAIL:wilirt@yahoo.ca


ATTN:PRESIDENT/C.E.O


Good day !

No doubt I know you will be surprised to receive this proposal. Actually I got your contact address from your country’s trade journal here in South Africa when I was making an inquiry for my investment in your country although I did not disclose my business intentions to them, rather I decided to contact you directly. First, I must introduce my self. I am MR.WILIAM WEMBA the son of BRIGADIER JOSHUA WEMBA from the Diamond rich district of Sierra Leone.

During the war between our forces led by the ex-Head of State, Major Johnny Paul Koroma and the West African Allied Forces (ECOMOG) my country relied heavily on the foreign earning generated from Diamond trade. This money was personally kept by the then president, Major Johnny Paul Koroma since our banking system had collapsed during the war. However, as the war progressed, it became apparent that we were going to lose the war to the superior and better armed West African Allied Forces (ECOMOG). At this point, the key officers of the administration started making frantic efforts on how to leave Sierra Leone safely, thereby sharing the proceeds/money from this Diamond trade. My father was one of the key officers who succeeded in getting the sum of US$25M (TWENTY FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS).

We made arrangement and transfer the money through diplomatic means to South Africa where I am presently living on Asylum. Unfortunately, My father died of heart attack after a few months of exile in South Africa and automatically. I became in possession of the said amount as the only surviving son. Upon our arrival in South Africa, we deposited the money with a security and finance company pending when we will see a trustworthy individual or company that will assist us to transfer this money to his account outside South Africa, as the strict monetary law here do not allow asylum seekers certain financial rights.

I shall be grateful if you will assist me accomplish this transaction and hoping too that you will remain trustworthy. For your efforts and assistance I am prepare to offer you 20% of the total sum while I have set aside 5% for any expenses that might be incurred in the in the course of this transaction. The rest 75% will be for my family investment in your country.

Please note that this transaction is 100% risk free as such the only thing I ask from you is total assistance to transfer this money, complete trust and assurance that my own part of the money will be safe when transferred to your account. If you are interested in assisting me, please kindly indicate me on the above telephone number or you can reply with my Email address. Expecting your urgent reply,

Thanks and God bless you,

Best Regards,

MR.WILIAM WEMBA

Anti-fraud resources: