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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: "ENGR. ROBERT TAMBO" <engr_roberttambo1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: engr_roberttambo@shellpetrol.net
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 16:29:54 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY


ENGINEER ROBERT TAMBO
Shell Petroleum South-Africa.
engr_roberttambo@shellpetrol.net

Attn: THE PRESIDENT/MANAGING DIRECTOR

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Engineer Robert tambo, a Director of the Contracts Award and
review Department with the Shell petroleum South-Africa. I am contacting you
on the business of transferring the sum of US$20,500,000.00.(Twenty
Million,five Hundred thousand United States Dollars only) into a safe
foreign account and the need is very urgent. I got your contact from the
South-Africa Chambers of Commerce and it is with business trust that made me
to contact you on this matter. I write to solicit for the transfer of this
money into your account. This Money was generated from an over Invoiced
contract sum in my corporation.
I am contacting you for your help and partnership for the following
two reasons:
(1) As a civil servant, I am not permitted to own foreign accounts due to
civil service code of conduct.
(2) My present financial resources as a civil servant will not be
sufficient for me to handle the transfer alone successfully without
financial assistance from a reliable foreign partner abroad like you. 20% of
this sum would be for you as compensation for using your Bank account in
transferring this money, 5% would be used to re-imburse the expenses made by
both parties during the processing of the transfer which includes,telephone
bills, travelling expenses and fees. While 75% is for me.
Please note that I will arrange to meet with you immediately after the
successful conclusion of the transfer, the 75% share of mine will be used
for investment overseas. Your assistance and co-operation is highly needed.
I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free. If you are interested
I will require your banking information as mentioned below:
1. Name to be used as beneficiary and beneficiarys address.
2. Your private and confidential telephone/ fax number(s)and Cell
phone.
3. Your bank name and address, your bank Telephone and fax number(s). I hope
to conclude this business within the next fourteen- (14) working days.
Looking forward to your anticipated and urgent positive response via e-mail.
engr_roberttambo@shellpetrol.net
Best regards,
Engineer Robert Tambo


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