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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: "victor Themba" <victor_themba@msn.com>
Reply-To: victor_themba@excite.com
Date: Mon, 03 Oct 2005 13:44:18 +0000
Subject: Re: Private Letter


3-10-05

ATTENTION: DIRECTOR/CEO
URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Tel: +88 216 212 267 83

Sir/Madam,

I would like to begin by way of introduction. My name is Mr. Victor
Zuma-Themba, a native of Cape town-South Africa and a senior employee of the
South African Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources currently here in
Europe for Six Months leave/training.

I am writing this letter to solicit your co-operation in order to redeem an
investment interest currently being held under trust with the South African
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. The said investment now valued at
$42.5Million (Fourty Two Million ,Five Hundred thousand United States
dollars) was consolidated Mining corporation since 1975, for 25 years. Since
the maturity of this contract in August 1999, several attempts have been
made without success to contact Mr. Richard Moore or any of his close
relatives, in whose favor the investment cash value could be paid to. My
partner who is the Account director at Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Resources and two other colleagues,have initiated a process of filing a
claim for this money, with the hope of having these funds transferred into a
safe offshore account.

We could file a claim for this money with the Ministry claiming that you
were appointed by Mr. RICHARD MOORE to be the beneficiary to these funds. As
soon as the claim is approved, the stated sum of $42.5M will be transferred
into an account of your choice, after which my colleagues and I shall travel
to meet with you for the disbursement of the fund. Since the money will be
in your custody, you have the responsibility to ensure that my colleagues
and I receive 60% of the total sum while you keep the remaining 30% for your
assistance and 10% for expenses.

Please we urge that this affair be very confidential because we are still in
active government service. I want to assure you that i and my partner are in
position to make the payment of this claim possible, provided you agree to
meet with us and give us the guarantee that our share will be well secure in
your care.

Be rest assured that there is absolutely nothing to worry about in view of
this claim? It is perfectly safe with no risk involved, and it is not
subject to any enquiry as my partner will be handling the claims directly on
your behalf in South Africa.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter by mail or contact me with
above phone number.

I look forward to your prompt response.
YOURS TRULY
Victor Zuma-Themba


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