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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: "Darren Owens" <darrenowens01@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:40:00 +0000
Subject: CAN YOU?

Dear Friend,

I am Mr Darren Owens,agent of the FSA (Financial Services Authority) in the
UK; the FSA is attached to the Department of Treasury.I have urgent and very
Confidential business proposition for you and it is Carefully explained
for your understanding as follows.

On March 5 1998, an oil consultant/business man by the name of Mr.Akotuah
Samuel Tio made a numbered time account (Fixed)deposit for twelve calendar
months, valued at US$12,500,000. (Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars)Valmet Alliance Plc.Upon maturity,a routine
notification was sent to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a
month,another reminder was sent but it was discovered from his contract
employees,that Mr.Akotuah Samuel Tio has since died from an automobile
accident.

On further investigation,I personally from my proficient examination, using
the extensive data protection database,found out that he did not leave a
WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin were fruitless.I therefore
made further investigation and discovered that Mr.Akotuah Samuel Tio did not
declare any next of kin in all his official documents,including his Bank
Deposit paperwork.This sum of US$12,500,000 is still sitting in the Bank and
the interest is being
rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will come
forward to claim it.
According to the British Law,at the expiration of 5(five) years,the money
will revert to the ownership of the British Government if nobody applies to
claim the funds.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin to Mr.Akotuah Samuel Tio so that the fruits of this old
man's labour will not get into the hands of some undeserving and corrupt
government officials.

This is simple, I will like you to provide me immediately with the
following; your full names, date and place of birth and complete address
with confidential telephone and fax numbers so that an attorney will prepare
the necessary documents and affidavits, which will put you in place as the
next of kin. We shall employ the services of two attorneys for drafting and
notarization of the WILL and obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.

A bank account in any part of the world, which you would provide, will then
facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of
kin.The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of
70% for me and 30% for you.There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for
this transaction will be done by the attorney and my Position as an agent of
the F.S.A.I guarantee the successful execution of this transaction.

If you are interested, Upon your response, I shall then provide you with
more details and relevant documents that will help you understand. Please
observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction
would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your
assistance to invest my share in your country. Awaiting your urgent reply
via e-mail. to dowens705@volja.net

Best regards,

Darren Owens.


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