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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: "stella sigcau" <stellasigcau2005@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: assiststellasigcau_2005@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:07:57 +0000
Subject: Could you be of help please?.

DEAR FRIEND,

REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

After due deliberation with my children, I decided to
contact you for your assistance in standing as a
beneficiary to the sum of US30.5M Thirty Million, Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only)

First, let me start by introducing myself as Mrs.
Stella Sigcau, a mother of three children and the
Minister of Public Works in South African Government
(17 June 1999) to date under the auspices of the
President of South Africa MR THABO MBEKI. You can view
my profile at my website:
http://www.gov.za/gol/gcis_profile.jsp?id=1068

THE PROPOSAL
After the swearing in ceremony making me the Minister
of Public Works in South African Government (17 June
1999) , my husband Mr Edelebe Sigcau died while he was
on an official trip to Trinidad and Tobago in
1996.After his death, I discovered that he had some
funds in a dollar account which amounted to the sum of
US$30.5M with a South African bank which had her
offshore House in the CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

This fund emanated as a result of an over-invoiced
contract which he executed with the Government of
South Africa. Though I assisted him in getting this
contract but I never knew that it was over-invoiced by
him. I am afraid that the government of South Africa
might start to investigate on contracts awarded from
1990 to date.If they discover this money in his bank
account, they will confiscate it and seize his assets
here in South Africa and this will definetely affect
my political career in Government.

I want your assistance in opening an account with
CENTRAL BANK through my Attorney so that this fund
could be wired into your account directly without any
hitch. As soon as the fund gets to your account, you
are expected to move it immediately into another
personal bank account in your country. I will see to
it that the account is not traced from South Africa.
As soon as you have confirmed the fund into your
account, I will send my eldest son with my Attorney to
come to your country to discuss on business
investments.

SHARING PERCENTAGE
For your assistance, I am offering you 20% of the
principal sum which amounts to US$6,100.000.00 (Six
million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
Only) However, you have to assure me and also be ready
to go into agreement with me that you will not elope
with my fund.

If you agree to my terms, kindly as a matter of
urgency send me an email. Due to my sensitive position
in the South African Government, I would not WANT you
to call me on phone or send a fax to me. All
correspondence must be by above mail address.
If you want to speak with my Attorney, that is fine
and okay by me. His chambers will be representing my
interest at the CENTRAL BANK. All correspondence must
be made either to my Attorney Barrister Leonard Ebie,
of Leonard Ebie and associates,or send me an email. I will
also like you to give me your contact
address,telephone and fax to enable my Attorney call
or reach you from time to time.

Please I do not need to remind you of the need for
absolute Confidentiality if this transaction must
succeed. YOU MUST NOT CALL ME! If you do not feel
comfortable with this transaction, do not hesitate to
discontinue.
Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and my
regards to your family.
Yours faithfully,
MRS. STELLA SIGCAU,
Minister of Public Works, South Africa.
Pls reply to my alternate mail assiststellasigcau_1967@yahoo.com


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