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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: "Barry Mattins" <barrymattins@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: doriwills@yahoo.ca
Date: Mon, 01 Aug 2005 15:52:39 -0400
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION.

Dear Sir,

PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the
information gathered from the From my resarch, I have
the privilege to request your assistance to transfer
the sum of $35,500,000.00 (thirty five million, five
hundred thousand United States dollars) into your
company accounts or priavte account. The above sum
resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed,
commissioned and paid for about few years back by a
foreign contractor. This action was however
intentional and since then the fund has been in a
suspense account at The Central Bank Of Nigeria Apex
Bank.
We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas and
that is where you come in. It is important to inform
you that as civil servants, we are forbidden to
operate a foreign account; that is why we require your
assistance. The total sum will be shared as follows:
70% for us, 25% for you and 5% for local and
international expenses incidental to the transfer.
The transfer is risk free on both sides. I am one of
the finacial controllers with the NIGERIA NATIONAL
PETROLEUM CO-PERATION (NNPC) . If you find this
proposal acceptable, we shall require the following
documents:
(a) your banker's name, telephone, account and fax
numbers.
(b) your private telephone and fax numbers for
confidentiality and easy communication.
(c) copy of your int'l passport or driver licence
Alternatively we will furnish you with more details as
soon as we hear from you. The business will take us
fortheen (14) working days to accomplish.
Please reply urgently.

Best Regards

Dr Barry Mattins


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