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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Aramide Ajayi" <aramide_aj@assurancebank.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: aramide_aj@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 00:49:24 +0100
Subject: Hello claesvds !

Dear claesvds ,

Having gotten your contact details through the Internet, coupled with my deep interest to invest in your country, i decided to contact and solicit your mutual assistance.
I am Aramide Ajayi, Manager with Assurance Bank (Nigeria).In January 2002, One Mr.Anthony,a consultant/contractor with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power made a numbered time Fixed) Deposit,valued at US$17,600,000.00 (Seventeen Million,Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars),for twelve (12) calender months in my Bank branch.
Upon maturity, we sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers that Mr.Anthony was no longer on earth. On further investigation,I found out that he died without yet declaring any next of kin or relations in all his official documents,including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.
This sum of US$17,600,000.00 is still in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. Nobody will ever come forward to claim it, in accordance with the Nigerian Federal Law,at the expiration of 4 (four) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, I shall present you as the next of kin to Mr.Anthony so that you and i can benefit from the fruits of this old man's labour to enhance Humanitarian organisation World wide.
The money will be shared in the ratio of 60% for me,35% for you and 5% for any arising contingencies during the process of this transaction.
There is no risk involved as i will use my position as the Branch Bank Manager to secure approvals and guarantee the successful execution of this transaction and it will take only 7- working days.Please you must observe utmost confidentiality.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law

Awaiting your urgent reply.
Thanks,
Best regards,
Aramide Ajayi


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