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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: "Mark Totman" <marktotman@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 17:41:38 +0100
Subject: Letter of Intent


FROM THE DESK OF:
ENGR. MARK TOTMAN
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR,
TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING (TRN)
TEL: 234-803-830-5745
EMAIL. marktotman@hotmail.com

Dear Sir,

My name is Mark Totman Jr, Group Managing Director of the TOWN AND REGIONAL
PLANNING (TRP), Nigeria. After due consultation with other members of the
Committee, I have been mandated to arrange and negotiate for a trusted
foreign Firm or individual account overseas for a possible transfer of some
fund Being an over invoiced sum resulting from various contracts executed by
Foreign companies for the TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING (TRP).

NATURE OF CONTRACT:

1. Supply of B.P.S.D chemical, erection and system Optimization of super
polypro for Warri Refinery.

2. Supply of capacity turbine flow axle, and computerized conveyor for plant
A-D Warri Refinery.

3. Activation of axle turbine pipes flow plants and liters flow for Kaduna
Refinery.
It should be noted that original value of these contracts was purposely over
invoiced by my committee (Contract Tender Board Committee) with the sum of
Nine Million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars($9.1M). Be informed
that all firms involved in this contract has been paid accordingly and the
project commissioned.

As a result, we want to transfer this inflated sum to a trusted Oversea
Partner as the true beneficiary, through the MADIS BANK PLC. I should have
done this myself, But the fact that I am still in Civil Servants, we are not
allowed to operate foreign Account abroad. Hence, the reason why I have
contacted you as to execute this project with you.

BENEFIT: We have agreed to give you 30% of the amount, while 10% will be set
aside to offset any expenses incurred during the transaction. 60% will be
for my colleagues and I.
On receipt of this information, all arrangements shall be perfected here for
a successful and hitch-free transfer of this fund to your Account. Utmost
confidentiality and trust is highly needed. Again, it important I inform you
that this transaction is 100% risk free and does not depend on any specific
field of trade.

Reach me on my Telephone number if interested on this project.

Best Regards,

ENGR MARK TOTMAN JR.
TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR OF (TRP).
TEL: 234-803-830-5745


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