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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: "tanco tanco" <tanco_ego3@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 04:35:34 -0700
Subject: Good Day

Dear Friend,
I have this pleasure to write you and to solicit your
help in the most confidential manner. My name is Mr
Tanco Ego, Special Assistant to His Excellency,
CHARLES TAYLOR, the former President of Liberia,who
is currently on political Assylum/Exile in Nigeria
since the 12th of August,2003 following the United
Nations (UN )recommendation prior to restoring peace
and installing an Interim-Government in Liberia for
two years.Since we arrived here(NIGERIA)last
August,2003,and considering our political problems
arising to the our present assylum status,I have
learnt the importance of peace and freedom.
To this end we have been very carefull not to provoke
any laws of this Country, for such would amount to
eventual entry to HELL. Hence, we are security
concious, seeking that your assistance to us in
receiving these funds and overseeing other investments
would open us up to a new world since my Boss has
suffered terrible losses as a result of confiscations
and freezing of numerous Bank Accounts world-wide
belonging to him.
I am sure this is a public knowledge and I also hope
your quick understanding of these circumstances facing
my Boss is not pleasant. At this point,I wish to let
you know that my Boss has mandated me to take over the
responsibilities of co-ordinating the affairs of his
investments and business interests in the USA, Channel
Islands and Europe with particular interest in his
Jewelry Factory in Switzerland which specializes in
costume-made product designs.
In addition,he has requested me to evacuate the sum
of US$15,000,000:00 cash money currently held in a
private security Vault abroad to a neutral Bank
Account without references to his name. I therefore
consider you appropriate to assist us in this project
by acting as management expert in this operation and
there after. For your participation, you will be
entitled to 20% of this US$15million after paying off
your expenses incurred in the process of the
transaction. Please for us to conclude this
transaction I will want you to send me the following
information.
(1) Your full name.
(2) Your residential house address.
(3) Your direct telephone and fax number
(4) Your age and occupation.
(5) Marital status.
Please contact me directly by email to enable me give
you more operational steps for the project. Thank you
for your attention and in anticipation of your
co-operation. through this email
address: tanco@jmail.co.za

Best Regards,
Mr Tanco Ego


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